BELSHAZZAR 


The  poet  sang  a  marvellous  song,  full  of  all  the  flowery  flatteries  of  the 
East,  praising  the  princess." 


BELSHAZZAR 

A  TALE  OF  THE 
FALLOF  BABYLON 


WILLIAM  STEARNS  DAVIS 


WITH  ILLUSTRATIONS  BY 

LEE  WOODWARD  ZIGLER 

DECORATIONS  BT 

J.EUUR 


NEW  YORK 

DOUBLEDAY.PAGE&CQ 
1902 


COPYRIGHT,   igoi,   1902, 
BY  JOHN  WANAMAKER. 


COPYRIGHT,    1902, 
BY  DOUBLEDAY,  PAGE  &  COMPANY. 


PUBLISHED    JUNE,    IQO*. 


if;  NORWOOD  PRESS  ^t 

J.  S.  GUSHING  &  CO.  —  BERWICK  A  SMITH 
^£.  NORWOOD  MASS.  U.S.A.  "fc 


CONTENTS 


I.  BABYLON  THE  GREAT 1 

II.  BELSHAZZAR  THE  KING 14 

III.  THE  YOKE  OF  THE  CHALDEES    ...   31 

IV.  RUTH 48 

V.    THE  TEMPLE  OP  NABU 60 

VI.  THE  GLORY  OF  THE  CHALDEES       ...      75 

VII.  THE  SPELL  OF  THE  MASKIM    ....      97 

VIII.  THE  HAREM  OF  THE  KING      .        .        .        .117 

IX.    THE  KING  OF  THE  Bow 131 

X.    BEL  ACCUSES 154 

XL    NABU  DEFIES  THE  KING 167 

XII.  THE  WISE  GUDEA  PROSPERS    .        .        .        .181 

XIII.  GUDEA  FARES  ON  A  JOURNEY         .        .        .196 

XIV.  BELSHAZZAR  CHOOSES  HIS  PATH      .        .        .    212 
XV.  DANIEL  DELIVERS  A  MESSAGE         .        .        .    229 

XVI.  THE  PROCESSION  OF  BEL          .                             245 


vi  CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  PAGE 

XVII.  BEL  TOTTERS 264 

XVIIL  AVIL-MARDUK  GIVES  COUNSEL  .  .  .  283 

XIX.  CYRUS,  FATHER  OF  THE  PEOPLE  .  .  .  297 

XX.  BELSHAZZAR'S  GUESTS  FORSAKE  HIM  .  .  310 

XXI.  BELSHAZZAR  PURSUES  IN  VAIN  .  .  .  325 

XXII.  THE  KING  AND  THE  FATHER  .  .  .  .342 

XXIII.  BELSHAZZAR  SECURES  HIS  PREY      .        .        .    354 

XXIV.  THE  WARNING  OF  JEHOVAH    ....    370 
XXV.  NABU  BETRAYS  BEL-MARDUK  .        .        .        .387 

XXVI.  THE  FULFILMENT  OF  JEHOVAH       .        .        .    397 

XXVII.    « BEL  is  DEAD"  412 


LIST   OF 

ILLUSTRATIONS 


"  The  poet  sang  a  marvellous  song,  full  of  all  the  flowery 
flatteries  of  the  East,  praising  the  princess  "  (page  82) 

Frontispiece 

FACING  PAGE 

"  Darius  had  proved  his  title,  « King  of  the  Bow  '"    .        .      24 

"  Isaiah  plucked  him  roughly  by  the  robe.     *  Make  your 

feet  wings,  or  I  will  aid  you  '  " 104 

"  All  the  Persian's  skill  could  not  save  his  horse  "     .        .    150 

"  They  did  not  know  the  lion  spirit  within  the  king,  that 

made  him  as  steeled  against  fear  as  against  mercy  "  .     272 

u  The  starlight    touched    something    that   glittered  —  a 

soldier's  helmet  " 318 

"  <  Here  is  only  the  king ;  within  your  father  waits  '  "       .     348 

"  They  saw  terror  flash  across  the  king's  face  as  he  looked 

upward " 386 


B  ELSHAZZA 

CHAPTER  I 

BABYLON   THE  GREAT 

ON  a  certain  day  in  the  month  Airu,  by  men  of 
after  days  styled  April,  a  bireme  was  speeding 
down  the  river  Euphrates.  Her  swarthy  Phoenician 
crew  were  bending  to  the  double  tier  of  oars  that 
rose  flashing  from  the  tawny  current;  while  the  flute- 
player,  perched  upon  the  upcurved  prow,  was  piping 
ever  quicker,  hastening  the  stroke,  and  at  times 
stopping  the  music  to  cry  lustily,  "  Faster,  and  faster 
yet !  Thirty  furlongs  to  Babylon  now,  and  cool  Hel- 
bon  wine  in  the  king's  cellars ! "  Whereupon  all 
would  answer  with  a  loud,  "Ha!";  and  make  the 
bireme  leap  on  like  a  very  sea-horse.  Under  the 
purple  awning  above  the  poop,  others  were  scanning 
the  flying  waves,  and  counting  the  little  mud  villages 

l 


2        ,.,          ',/;  jEELSHAZZAR 

db'vtiftg;t/hH  riYftr4bank'(3. '  A  monotonous  landscape; — 
the  stream,  the  sky,  and ' between  only  a  broad  green 
ribbon,  broken  by  clumps  of  tassel-like  date  palms 
and  the  brown  thatched  hamlets.  Four  persons  were 
on  the  poop,  not  counting  as  many  ebony-skinned 
eunuchs  who  squatted  silently  behind  their  masters. 
Just  as  the  flute-player  blew  his  quickest,  a  young 
man  of  five  and  twenty  rose  from  the  scarlet  cush 
ions  of  his  cedar  couch,  yawned,  and  stretched  his 
muscular  arms. 

"  So  we  approach  Babylon  ?  "  he  remarked  in  Chal- 
dee,  though  with  a  marked  Persian  accent.  And 
Hanno  the  ship-captain,  a  wiry,  intelligent  Phoenician 
in  Babylonian  service,  answered :  — 

"  It  is  true,  my  Lord  Darius ;  in  another  '  double- 
hour'  we  are  inside  the  water-gate  of  Nimitti-Bel." 

The  first  speaker  tossed  his  head  petulantly: 
"  Praised  be  Ahura  the  Great,  this  river  voyage 
closes !  I  am  utterly  weary  of  this  hill-less  coun 
try.  Surely  the  Chaldees  have  forgotten  that  God 
created  green  mountain  slopes,  and  ravines,  and 
cloud-loved  summits." 

Hanno  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"  True;  yet  this  valley  is  the  garden  of  the  earth. 
The  Nile  boasts  no  fairer  vineyards  nor  greater 
yield  of  corn-land.  He  who  possesses  here  a  farm 
has  a  treasure  better  than  a  king's.  Gold  is  scat 
tered ;  the  river  yields  eternal  riches.  Four  thou 
sand  years,  the  tablets  tell,  has  the  river  been  a 
mine  of  things  more  precious  than  gems.  And  we 


BABYLOX  THE  GREAT 

approach   Babylon,   rarest    casket   in.  all   tjiis.  va 
treasure-house." 

"  All  men  praise  Babylon !  "  quoth  the  Persian 
lightly,  yet  frowning  downward. 

"  Yes,  by  Astarte!  I  have  seen  India  and  the  Tin 
Isles,  the  chief  wonders  of  the  world.  Yet  my  heart 
beats  quicker  now.  A  hundred  strokes  brings  us  to 
the  first  view  of  the  mistress  of  cities." 

But  Darius  did  not  answer  —  only  scowled  in 
silence  at  the  foam-eddy  under  the  flying  stern.  As 
he  stood,  a  stranger  could  have  noted  that  his  tight 
leathern  dress  set  off  a  figure  short,  but  supple 
as  a  roe's,  with  the  muscles  of  a  leopard.  Fire 
sparkled  in  his  steel-blue  eyes ;  the  smile  on  his  lips, 
from  under  his  curling,  fair  beard,  was  frank  and 
winsome.  His  crisp  blond  hair  and  high  forehead 
were  pressed  by  a  gray  felt  cap,  and  upon  his  un- 
tanned  jacket  hung  his  sole  ornament,  a  belt  of  gold 
chains,  whence  dangled  a  short  sword  in  an  agate 
sheath.  Here  was  a  man  of  power,  the  first  glance 
told. 

After  no  short  silence  the  young  man  turned  to 
his  companions.  Upon  one  of  the  couches  lounged 
a  handsome  elderly  nobleman,  dressed  in  a  flowing 
white  and  purple  robe,  and  with  a  felt  cap  like 
Darius's;  on  the  next  a  lady,  clad  also  in  the  loose 
"  Median  "  mantle,  beneath  which  peeped  low  boots 
of  crimson  leather.  But  her  face  and  shoulders  were 
quite  hidden  by  an  Indian  muslin  veil.  Without 
speaking,  Darius  stood  beside  her  for  so  long  a  time 


/  ;  ;  .J3ELSHAZZAB 

the<r  silence   in   their  own   musical 


Persian  :  — 

"  My  prince,  you  grow  dumb  as  a  mute.  Does 
this  piping  desert  breeze  waft  all  your  thoughts  after 
it?  By  Mithra!  Pharnaces"  —  with  a  nod  to  the 
old  nobleman  —  "  has  been  a  wittier  travelling  com 
panion." 

And,  as  if  to  gain  a  better  view,  the  lady  lowered 
the  veil,  showing  a  face  very  white,  save  as  the  blood 
of  health  crimsoned  behind  it,  and  deep-blue  eyes, 
and  hair  bound  by  a  gold  circlet,  though  not  more 
golden  than  the  unruly  tresses  it  confined.  The 
lines  of  her  face  were  soft;  but  despite  the  banter  on 
her  lips  none  was  in  her  eyes.  Upon  her  breast 
burned  a  single  great  topaz,  such  as  only  kings' 
daughters  wear. 

There  was  no  levity  in  Darius's  voice  when  he 
answered  :  — 

"Princess  Atossa,  you  do  well  to  mock  me.  Let 
Ahura  grant  forgetfulness  of  that  night  in  the 
gardens  at  Ecbatana,  when  we  stood  together,  and 
heard  the  thrushes  sing  and  the  fountains  tinkle, 
and  said  that  which  He  alone  may  hear.  And 
now  we  near  Babylon,  where  Belshazzar  will  hail 
you  as  his  bride.  In  Babylon  they  will  pro 
claim  you  '  Lady  of  the  Chaldees,'  and  I  Darius, 
son  of  Hystaspes,  must  obey  Cyrus,  your  father  — 
must  deliver  you  up,  as  pledge  of  peace  be 
twixt  Persia  and  Babylon  ;  must  sit  at  your 
marriage  feast  "  —  with  a  pause  —  "  must  return 


BABYLON   THE   GREAT  5 

to  Susa,  and  forget  Atossa,  daughter  of  the  Great 
King." 

The  lady  drew  back  the  veil  and  answered  softly : 
"  Cyrus  is  King ;  his  word  is  law  and  is  right.  Is 
he  not  called  4  the  father  of  his  people '  ?  " 

"Yes,  verily,  more  a  father  to  his  people  than 
to  his  friends,"  was  the  bitter  reply.  "In  my 
despair  when  you  were  promised  to  the  Baby 
lonian  I  went  to  him,  and  he  professed  great  sor 
row  for  us  both.  But  '  he  were  unworthy  to  rule  if 
he  set  the  joy  of  a  daughter  and  a  friend  above 
the  peace  of  his  kingdom.'  Then  he  bade  me  ask 
any  boon  I  wished,  saving  your  hand ;  I  should 
have  it,  though  it  be  ten  satrapies.  And  I  asked 
this  —  'to  go  as  the  envoy  that  should  deliver 
you  to  Belshazzar.'  He  resisted  long,  saying  I 
made  the  parting  more  bitter ;  but  I  was  steadfast. 
And  now  "  —  hesitating  again  —  "  we  are  close  to 
Babylon." 

Atossa  only  looked  away,  and  repeated,  "Better 
to  have  parted  in  Susa  !  We  should  be  learning  a 
little  how  to  forget." 

Darius  had  no  answer,  but  Hanno,  who  could  not 
hear  her,  cried  from  the  steering  oar,  "  Look,  my 
lords  and  my  lady  !  Babylon  !  "  He  was  pointing 
southward. 

The  river  bent  sharply.  Just  above  the  topmost 
plumes  of  the  palms  on  the  promontory  thus  formed 
hung  a  glitter  as  of  fire,  pendent  against  the  cloud 
less  blue. 


6  BELSHAZZAB, 

"  Flame  !  "  exclaimed  Darius,  shaken  out  of  his 
black  mood. 

"  Gold  !  "  answered  Hanno,  smiling ;  "  the  crest  of 
the  queen  of  ziggurats,  the  uppermost  shrine  of  Bel- 
Marduk,  the  greatest  temple-tower  of  the  twenty  in 
Babylon."  And  Darius,  fresh  from  the  splendours  of 
Susa,  marvelled,  for  he  knew  the  wondrous  shining 
was  still  a  great  way  off. 

But  even  without  this  bright  day-beacon  they 
would  have  known  they  approached  the  city.  The 
shores  were  still  level  as  the  stream,  but  the  palm- 
groves  grew  denser.  They  saw  great  cedars  and 
tamarisks,  blossoming  shrubs,  strange  exotic  trees  in 
pleasant  gardens,  and  the  splendour  of  wide  beds  of 
flowers.  Tiny  canals  drained  away  inland.  The 
villages  were  larger,  and  beyond  them  scattered 
white-walled,  rambling  farm-houses.  They  saw 
dirty-fleeced  sheep  and  long-horned  kine ;  and  pres 
ently  Hanno  pointed  out  a  file  of  brown  camels 
swaying  along  the  river  road  —  a  Syrian  caravan, 
doubtless,  just  safe  across  the  great  desert. 

But  never  in  her  mountain  home  had  Atossa  seen 
a  sight  like  that  upon  the  river.  For  the  Euphrates 
seemed  turned  to  life.  Clumsy  barges  loaded  with 
cattle  were  working  with  long  sweeps  against  the 
current;  skiffs  loaded  with  kitchen  produce  were 
drifting  southward ;  and  especially  huge  rafts,  planks 
upborne  by  inflated  skins,  and  carrying  building- 
stone  and  brick,  were  creeping  down-stream  towards 
Babylon,  In  and  out  sculled  little  wicker  boats, 


BABYLON   THE   GREAT  7 

mere  baskets,  water-tight,  which  bore  a  goodly  cargo. 
And,  as  the  bireme  swept  onward,  the  boatman  gave 
many  a  hail  of  good  omen.  "  Marduk  favour  you  ! 
Samas  shine  on  you  !  "  While  others,  who  guessed 
the  royal  passenger,  shouted,  "Istar  shed  gladness 
on  the  great  lady  Atossa  !  " 

So  for  the  moment  the  young  Persians  forgot  all 
cares,  admiring  river  and  land.  All  the  time  the 
tower  of  Bel  shone  with  growing  radiance.  They 
could  see  its  lower  terraces.  Around  it  other  zig- 
gurats,  nearly  as  high,  seemed  springing  into  being, 
their  cone-shaped  piles  of  terraces  glowing  with  the 
glazed  brickwork,  —  gold,  silver,  scarlet,  blue,  —  and 
about  them  rose  masses  of  walls  and  buildings, 
stretching  along  the  southern  horizon  almost  as  far 
as  the  eye  could  traverse. 

Hanno  stood  smiling  again  at  the  wonderment  of 
the  Persians. 

"  Babylon  the  Great  !  "  he  would  cry.  "  Babylon 
that  endures  forever  !  " 

And  truly  Darius  and  Atossa  thought  his  praise 
too  faint,  as  they  saw  those  ramparts  springing  up  to 
heaven,  worthy  to  be  accounted  the  handiwork  of 
the  gods. 

"  Do  you  say  now,"  asked  Hanno,  "  that  the  Chal- 
dees  have  forgotten  the  hills  ?  Elsewhere  the  gods 
make  the  mountains ;  in  Babylonia  men  vie  with  the 
lords  of  heaven  !  You  can  see  yonder  the  green 
feathers  of  the  trees  in  the  Hanging  Gardens.  The 
great  Nebuchadnezzar  once  wedded  Amytis  the 


8  BELSHAZZAK, 

Mede,  who  wept  for  her  native  uplands.  In  fifteen 
days,  such  was  her  husband's  love  and  might,  he 
reared  for  her  this  mountain  upon  arches,  and  cov 
ered  it  with  every  fruit  and  tree.  And  this  paradise 
shall  be  yours,  O  Lady  Atossa  !  " 

"Verily,"  cried  Darius,  half  bitterly,  "on  this 
earth  you  will  enjoy  the  delights  of  Ahura's  Graro- 
nmana,  'the  Abode  of  Song.' ' 

But  Atossa,  shuddering,  answered,  "  Not  so ;  in 
G-aro-nmana  there  is  no  such  word  as  'farewell." 
And  for  a  moment  her  eyes  went  back  to  the  river. 
But  now  Hanno  was  thundering  to  his  men  to  back 
water.  A  crimson  pennant  was  being  dipped  on  the 
staff  before  an  ample  country  house  by  the  river 
bank,  and  as  the  Phoenicians  stroked  slowly  back 
ward,  a  six-oared  barge  shot  out  towards  the  bireme. 
Behind  the  white  liveries  of  the  rowers  one  could  see 
two  figures  sitting  in  the  stern,  and  Hanno,  with  his 
hawk's  eyes,  cried  again,  "  I  am  not  deceived.  The 
4  civil-minister '  Daniel  and  the  chief  of  the  eunuchs, 
Mermaza,  are  coming  aboard,  as  escort  of  honour, 
before  we  reach  the  city." 

Darius  appeared  puzzled.  "  Daniel  ?  "  he  asked. 
"  That  is  not  a  Babylonian  name." 

"  You  are  right.  His  official  name  is  Belteshazzar, 
but  he  is  by  birth  a  Jew ;  one  from  the  petty  king 
dom  Nebuchadnezzar  destroyed.  He  has  held  very 
high  office  in  these  parts.  All  men  honour  him,  for 
he  is  justice  and  faithfulness  itself.  The  priests  hate 
him  because  he  clings  to  the  worship  of  his  native 


BABYLON  THE   GREAT  9 

god  Jehovah;  but  the  government  continues  him, 
old  as  he  is,  as  *- RabsarisJ  the  'civil-minister/  His 
popularity  strengthens  the  dynasty." 

"  And  the  eunuch  with  him  ?  " 

The  captain  laughed  significantly.  "  There  must 
be  like  pretty  serpents  at  Cyrus's  court.  He  was 
born  a  Greek.  Men  say  he  is  soft- voiced  and  soft- 
mannered,  yet  with  a  brain  sharp  enough  to  outwit 
Ea,  god  of  wisdom.  But  he  is  nothing  to  dread; 
never  will  dog  run  more  obediently  at  your  heels 
than  will  he." 

The  boat  was  near.  The  two  figures  in  the  stern 
rose,  and  the  elder  hailed,  "  God  favour  you,  Hanno  ! 
Is  the  Lady  Atossa  aboard  ?  " 

"  May  Baal  multiply  your  years  !  She  is  here  and 
the  Lords  Darius  and  Pharnaces." 

Then,  while  the  boat  drew  alongside,  the  younger 
of  the  strangers,  who  was  beringed  and  coiffured 
in  half-feminine  fashion,  burst  into  a  flowery  ora 
tion,  praising  every  god  and  goddess  for  the  safety 
of  the  princess,  for  the  sight  of  whose  face  the  King 
Belshazzar  waited  impatient  as  the  hungering  lion. 
The  need  of  clambering  upon  the  bireme  cut  short 
the  flow  of  his  eloquence.  Darius  had  only  good- 
natured  indifference  for  the  eunuch,  who  was,  as 
Hanno  said,  quite  one  of  his  kind  —  handsome, 
according  to  a  vulgar  mould,  rouged,  pomaded, 
and  dressed  in  a  close-fitting  robe  of  blue,  skilfully 
embroidered  with  red  rosettes;  gold  in  his  ears, 
gold  chains  about  his  neck,  gold  on  his  white  san- 


10  BELSHAZZAR 

dais ;  the  whole  adorned  with  a  smile  of  such  imper 
turbable  sweetness  that  Darius  wondered  if  he 
were  a  god,  and  so  removed  above  mortal  hate 
and  grief. 

But  the  Jew  was  far  otherwise.  The  Persians 
saw  a  man  of  quite  seventy,  yet  still  unbowed  by  his 
years,  his  hair  and  beard  white  as  the  wave -spray ; 
in  his  dark  eyes  a  fire  ;  strength,  candour,  and  wis 
dom  written  on  his  sharp  Semitic  features.  His 
dress  was  the  plainest  —  a  white  woollen  robe  that 
fell  with  hardly  a  fold,  a  simple  leathern  girdle, 
around  the  feet  a  fringe  of  green  tassels.  He  was 
barefoot,  his  hair  was  neatly  dressed,  but  he  wore  no 
fillet.  Upon  his  breast  hung  his  badge  of  office,  a 
cylinder  seal  of  carved  jasper,  bored  through  the 
centre  for  the  scarlet  neck-cord. 

Daniel  had  salaamed  respectfully ;  Mermaza  brushed 
his  purple  fillet  on  the  very  deck.  The  salutations 
once  over,  Darius  began  with  a  question :  — 

"  And  is  it  true,  the  report  we  heard  at  Sippar, 
that  my  Lord  Nabonidus,  the  father  of  my  Lord 
Belshazzar,  has  been  so  grievously  stricken  with 
madness  that  he  can  never  hope  to  be  made  whole, 
and  that  his  son  must  rule  for  him,  as  though  he 
were  dead  ?  " 

Daniel's  answer  came  slowly,  as  if  he  were  tread 
ing  on  delicate  ground.  "  The  rumour  is  too  true. 
So  it  has  pleased  the  All-Powerful.  Nabonidus  is 
hopelessly  mad,  the  chiefs  of  the  Chaldeans  declare. 
He  lies  in  his  palace  at  Tema.  Belshazzar  has,  seven 


BABYLON  THE   GREAT  11 

days  since,  as  the  saying  is, 4  taken  the  hands  of  Bel,' 
and  become  sole  Lord  of  Babylon." 

"And  I  trust,  with  Ahura's  grace,"  replied  the 
prince  formally,  "soon  to  stand  before  him,  and  in 
my  master's  name  wish  his  reign  all  manner  of  pros 
perity." 

Then,  when  the  ceremonies  of  greeting  were 
ended,  formality  fled,  and  the  talk  drifted  to  the 
wonders  of  the  approaching  city. 

"  And  was  it  your  own  villa  that  your  boat  left  ?  " 
asked  Darius  ;  to  which  the  minister  answered  affa 
bly  :  "  My  own.  As  Hanno  may  have  told,  I  am  by 
birth  a  Jew ;  yet  our  God  has  blessed  me  in  this 
land  of  captivity.  I  possess  a  passing  estate ;  it  will 
be  a  fair  marriage  portion  to  my  daughter." 

"  Your  daughter  ?  Does  God  refuse  a  son  ?  "  A 
shiver  and  sigh  seemed  to  sweep  over  Daniel  at  the 
question. 

"  I  had  three  sons.  All  perished  in  the  conspiracy 
when  the  young  king  Labashi-Marduk  fell.  They 
are  in  Abraham's  bosom.  Now,  in  my  evening, 
Jehovah  sends  me  one  ewe  lamb,  Ruth,  who  now 
waits  for  me  in  Babylon.  But  alas  !  her  mother  is 
dead." 

"Ahura  pity  you,  good  father,"  protested  the 
Persian,  thrilling  in  sympathy  ;  "  in  Persia  there  is 
no  greater  woe  than  to  lack  a  son.  You  have  much 
to  mourn." 

But  the  other  answered  steadily,  "And  much  to 
rejoice  over."  Then,  raising  his  head,  he  pointed  for- 


12  BELSHAZZAR 

ward.  "  See  !  We  are  before  the  great  water-gate 
of  the  outer  wall.  The  king  waits  in  his  yacht  inside 
the  barrier.  We  are  sighted  from  the  walls  ;  they 
raise  flags  and  parade  the  garrison  in  honour  of  the 
daughter  of  Cyrus." 

Darius  gazed  not  forward,  but  upward  ;  for  though 
not  yet  within  the  fortifications,  the  walls  of  brown 
brick  lowered  above  his  head  like  beetling  mountains. 
The  mast  of  the  bireme  was  dwarfed  as  it  stood 
against  the  bulwark.  Steep  and  sheer  reared  the 
wall;  a  precipice,  so  high  that  Darius  could  well 
believe  Hanno's  tale  that  the  city  folk  boasted  its 
height  two  hundred  cubits.  At  intervals  square 
flanking  towers  jutted  and  rose  yet  higher,  faced  with 
tiles  of  bright  blue  and  vermilion  ;  and  behind  this 
"  rampart  of  the  gods  "  rose  a  second,  even  loftier  ; 
while  Daniel  professed  that  inside  of  this  ran  still  a 
third,  not  so  high,  yet  nigh  impregnable.  As  the 
current  swept  them  nearer  they  saw  the  water-gates, 
ponderous  cages  of  bronze,  hung  from  the  towers  by 
ingenious  chainwork,  ready  to  drop  in  a  twinkling, 
and  seal  all  ingress  to  the  "  Lady  of  Kingdoms." 

Then,  while  Darius  looked,  suddenly  the  sun 
flashed  on  the  armour  of  many  soldiers  pacing  the 
airy  parapets.  He  heard  the  bray  of  trumpets,  the 
clangor  of  kettle-drums,  the  tinkling  of  harps,  and 
soft  flutes  breathing ;  while,  as  the  vessel  sped 
between  the  guardian  towers,  a  great  shower  of 
blossoms  rained  upon  her  deck,  of  rose,  lily,  scarlet 
pomegranate  ;  and  a  cheer  out-thundered  "Hail, 


BABYLON   THE   GREAT  13 

Atossa  !  Hail,  Queen  of  Akkad  !  Hail,  Lady  of 
Babylon  !  " 

Daniel  knelt  at  the  princess's  feet.  "My  sover 
eign,"  said  he,  with  courtly  grace,  "  behold  your  city 
and  your  slaves.  We  have  passed  the  water-gate  of 
Nimitti-Bel ;  before  us  lies  the  inner  barrier  of 
Imgur-Bel.  Except  Belshazzar  order  otherwise, 
your  wish  is  law  to  all  Babylon  and  Chaldea." 

And  at  sight  of  this  might  and  glory,  Atossa  for 
got  for  a  moment  her  father  and  the  love  of  Darius. 
"  Yes,  by  Mithra  !  "  cried  she  in  awe,  "  this  city  is 
built,  not  by  man,  but  by  God  Most  High." 

But  Daniel,  while  he  rose,  answered  softly,  as  if  to 
himself,  "  No,  not  by  God.  Blood  and  violence  have 
builded  it.  And  Imgur-Bel  and  Nimitti-Bel  shall  be 
helpless  guardians  when  Jehovah's  will  is  otherwise." 

Another  shout  from  Hanno,  and  Daniel  cut  short 
his  soliloquy. 

"  My  lady,"  said  the  Jew,  in  a  changed  tone,  "the 
royal  galley  comes  to  greet  us.  Prepare  to  meet 
Belshazzar." 


BELSHAZZAR-    THE    KING 


CHAPTER  II 

WHILE  Hanno's  bireme  glided  betwixt  the 
portals  of  Nimitti-Bel,  a  yet  more  magnificent 
galley  had  been  flying  up-stream  to  meet  her.  On 
the  poop,  where  the  polished  teak  and  ivory  glittered, 
stood  a  group  of  officers,  in  array  glorious  as  the  orb 
of  Samas.  Here  stood  Sirusur,  the  Tartan,  com 
mander  of  the  host;  here  Bilsandan,  the  Rdbsaki, 
grand  vizier;  here,  proudest  of  all,  Avil-Marduk, 
whose  gray  goat-skin  across  his  shoulders  proclaimed 
him  chief  priest  of  Bel,1  highest  pontiff  of  the  king 
dom.  Tall,  handsome  men  were  they  all,  worthy 
rulers  of  the  city  of  cities.  But  at  their  centre  was 
no  less  a  person  than  Belshazzar  himself,  sovereign 
lord  of  "  Sumer  and  Akkad,"  as  myriads  hailed  him. 
The  monarch  sat  while  his  ministers  stood  round 
him;  yet  even  on  his  gold-plated  chair  Belshazzar 
seemed  nearly  as  tall  as  they.  The  royal  dress 
differed  from  that  of  the  nobles'  only  as  the  embroi 
deries  on  the  close-fitting  robes  blazed  with  more 
than  common  splendour,  and  the  gems  on  the  necklet 

1  The  chief  god  of  Babylon,  properly  named  Bel-Marduk,  was 
often  called  indifferently  simply  Bel  or  Marduk. 

14 


BELSHAZZAK,  THE  KING  15 

would  have  drained  the  revenues  of  a  petty  kingdom. 
Upon  the  carefully  curled  hair  perched  the  royal  tiara, 
white  and  blue,  threaded  with  gold,  cone-shaped,  but 
the  top  slightly  flattened.  There  was  majesty  and 
force  stamped  upon  his  aquiline  features;  force  — 
and  it  might  be  passion —  glittered  in  his  dark  eye,  and 
shone  from  the  white  teeth  half  hid  by  the  thick 
black  beard.  In  brief,  no  diadem  was  needed  to 
proclaim  Belshazzar  lord. 

Avil-Marduk,  a  gaunt,  haughty  man,  with  a  stri 
dent  voice,  was  speaking  to  Sirusur,  while  the 
eunuchs  behind  the  king  flapped  their  ostrich  fans  to 
keep  the  flies  away  from  majesty. 

"  I  would  give  much,"  quoth  he,  "  to  know  how 
long  Cyrus  will  remain  blind.  We  must  dissemble 
to  the  envoys  ;  chatter  peace.  By  Istar  !  I  wish 
the  Egyptian  treaty  were  signed !  Pharaoh's  envoy 
is  timorous  as  a  wild  deer." 

Sirusur  laughed  dryly.  "  I  have  less  fear.  There 
are  two  envoys  —  Pharnaces,  an  old  nobleman,  but 
the  chief  is  the  young  Prince  Darius.  They  say  his 
eyes  are  only  for  hunts  and  arrow-heads,  after  these 
Persian  barbarians'  fashion.  We  will  give  him  a 
great  fete,  and  show  all  courtesy.  He  will  return 
to  Susa  dazzled,  and  tell  Cyrus  that  Belshazzar  is 
friendly  as  his  own  son." 

"  Nevertheless,"  answered  Avil,  cautiously,  "  be 
guarded.  The  Persians  forgive  twelve  murders 
sooner  than  one  lie.  If  Darius  dreams  we  ask  the 
marriage  treaty  but  to  gain  time  for  an  Egyptian 


16  BELSHAZZAR 

alliance  and  war  —  "  he  broke  off — "then,  my  gal 
lant  Tartan,  you  may  have  chance  to  prove  your 
valour." 

Sirusur  shrugged  his  shoulder.  "The  power  of 
Cyrus  is  great.  Media  and  Lydia  were  both  swal 
lowed  by  him;  but  Babylon,  Bel  grant,  shall  prove 
over  large  in  his  maw !  " 

"  The  ship  of  the  princess  approaches,"  announced 
Bilsandan.  And  even  Belshazzar  arose  as  the  vessel 
of  Hanno  swept  alongside.  The  king  stepped  to  the 
bulwarks,  the  purple  parasol  of  royalty  held  above 
his  head  by  a  ready  nobleman.  The  nimble  Phoeni 
cians  lashed  the  two  vessels  together,  and  laid  a  railed 
gangway  between.  Of  the  Persians  Atossa  crossed 
first,  followed  by  her  eunuchs  ;  and  as  she  knelt  at 
the  king's  feet,  she  unveiled.  Her  face  was  very 
pale,  but  marvellously  fair  in  the  eyes  of  the  Chal 
deans,  accustomed  to  the  darker  beauty  of  their  own 
race. 

Belshazzar  spoke  to  her,  his  voice  deep,  melodious, 
penetrating.  "  Rise,  daughter  of  Cyrus.  Istar  grant 
that  the  white  rose  of  Persia  shall  bud  with  new 
beauty  in  the  gardens  of  Chaldea !  " 

Atossa  stood  with  downcast  eyes.  "  I  am  content 
to  find  grace  in  the  sight  of  my  lord,"  was  all  she 
said.  Then  Darius  followed,  bowed  himself  before 
the  king,  and  delivered  the  good  wishes  of  his  master, 
to  which  Belshazzar  made  friendly  reply.  After 
these  compliments  were  ended,  and  the  Babylonians 
had  salaamed  before  Atossa,  Belshazzar  commanded 


BELSHAZZAK  THE   KING  17 

the  Persians  to  sit  beside  him,  and  affably  pointed 
out  each  new  building  as  they  entered  the  city. 

"  Before  us,  on  the  left,  rises  the  citadel  of  Nebu 
chadnezzar  ;  yonder  flashes  the  brass  of  the  great 
Gate  of  Istar  ;  beside  the  mighty  ziggurat  of  Bel 
rises  that,  scarce  smaller,  of  his  consort  Beltis. 
These  brick  quays  on  either  bank  extend  ten  fur 
longs,  yet  do  not  suffice  for  the  shipping.  The  high 
walls  to  the  right  are  of  the  royal  palace,  a  city  in 
itself,  and  the  forest  of  the  Hanging  Gardens  is  close 
by.  Though  all  the  rest  of  Babylon  were  taken," 
Belshazzar  spoke  proudly,  "  a  host  might  rage  against 
the  palace  in  vain." 

Darius  could  only  wonder  and  gaze.  The  quays 
were  a  forest  of  masts.  The  houses  that  crowded 
the  water-front  rose  three  and  four  stories  high,  and 
were  flat-roofed,  walled  with  plastered  wicker  brightly 
painted.  The  windows  were  very  small,  and  all  the 
buildings  were  closely  thrust  together. 

"  By  Ahura  !  "  cried  the  Persian,  "  do  your  people 
forget  the  smell  of  pure  air  ?  " 

To  which  Belshazzar  answered,  laughing:  "If  one 
would  live  in  Babylon,  one  must  pay  his  price.  Happy 
the  man  so  rich  as  to  possess  a  little  garden  in  the 
midst  of  the  city.  As  you  go  south,  you  find  vine 
yards  and  country  houses  inside  the  walls." 

"  Verily,"  declared  Darius,  "  better  a  reed  hut  in 
the  forest,  and  good  hunting,  than  a  thousand  talents 
and  life  in  Babylon  !  " 

The    frankness    and   good    nature    of    the   Per- 


18  BELSHAZZAR 

sian  seemed  contagious.  Belshazzar  laughed  again, 
heartily. 

"  Now,  by  Marduk  !  you  will  never  covet  my  king 
dom.  Tell  me,  do  you  love  to  follow  the  lion  ?  " 

The  prince's  eyes  flashed  fire.  "What  are  the 
joys  of  Ahura's  paradise  without  a  lion  hunt  before 
the  feasting?  Understand,  O  king,  that  the  name 
men  call  me  by  in  Persia  is  the  '  King  of  the  Bow,' 
for  I  boast  that  I  have  no  peer  in  archery." 

"  Then,  by  Nergal,  lord  of  the  hunting,"  swore  the 
monarch,  "  you  shall  face  the  fiercest  lions  and  wild 
bulls  in  my  preserves  in  the  marshes  !  And  I  will 
learn  if  a  Persian  can  conquer  a  king  of  Babylon  in 
the  chase." 

"  Excellent,"  exclaimed  the  Persian.  "  Babylon  and 
Persia  are  at  peace;  they  shall  test  their  might  on 
the  lord  of  beasts.  And  if  I  am  not  Cyrus's  self,  next 
to  him  there  is  none  other  of  my  nation  that  calls  me 


But  now  the  water-gate  of  Imgur-Bel  was  passed, 
and  while  on  the  left  the  cone  of  Bel-Marduk  lifted 
its  series  of  diminishing  terraces  to  a  dizzy  height, 
on  the  right  spread  the  royal  palace,  a  vast  structure, 
surrounded  by  a  dense  park,  and  all  girded  by  a  wall. 
On  the  river  side  the  buildings  closely  abutted  the 
shores,  rising  from  a  lofty  brick-faced  embankment, 
themselves  of  brick,  but  splendid  with  the  gilding  on 
the  battlements,  with  the  sculptured  winged  bulls  that 
flanked  the  many  portals,  and  the  bright  enamel  upon 
the  brickwork.  Out  of  the  masses  of  walls  sprang 


BELSHAZZAB,   THE   KING  19 

castellated  towers  crowned  with  gaudy  flags,  and  tow 
ard  the  centre  reared  a  ziggurat,  the  private  temple 
of  the  king. 

For  an  instant  Darius  was  at  Atossa's  side  as  she 
gazed,  and  no  one  watched  them. 

"  This  is  the  dwelling  of  Belshazzar,"  said  he  softly, 
"a  great  king.  Joy  to  be  his  wife."  But  the  lady 
shivered  behind  her  veil. 

"  He  is  a  great  king,  but  they  will  never  call  him, 
like  Cyrus,  '  the  father  of  his  people.'  " 

"  You  will  soon  forget  Persia,  happy  as  mistress  in 
this  wondrous  city." 

"When  I  have  lived  ten  thousand  years  I  shall 
forget  —  perhaps."  Then  she  added  very  softly,  "I 
am  afraid  of  Belshazzar  ;  his  lips  drop  praise,  his 
heart  is  cold  and  hard  as  the  northern  ice.  I  shall 
always  dread  him." 

"You  wrong  the  king,"  Darius  vainly  strove  to 
speak  lightly  ;  "  the  ways  of  Babylon  are  not  those 
of  Persia.  But  there  will  come  a  day  when  you  will 
feel  that  the  Chaldees  are  your  own  people.  Bel 
shazzar  is  a  splendid  man  ;  he  will  delight  to  honour 
you." 

But  Atossa  only  held  down  her  head,  and  answered 
in  a  whisper  Darius  might  not  hear. 

They  had  no  time  for  more.  A  vast  multitude  was 
upon  the  embankment  before  the  palace  —  white- 
robed  priests,  garlanded  priestesses,  the  glittering 
body-guard,  all  manner  of  city  folk.  A  shout  of 
welcome  drifted  over  the  river. 


20  BELSHAZZAR 

"Hail,  King  Belshazzar!  Hail,  Lady  Atossa ! 
May  your  years  exceed  those  of  Khasisadra  the 
Ancient !  "  Then,  amid  tinkling  harps,  many  voices 
raised  the  hymn  of  praise  to  Marduk,  the  conductor 
of  the  royal  bride  :  — 

"  O  merciful  one  among  the  gods, 
Marduk,  king  of  heaven  and  earth, 
Mankind,  the  black-headed  race, 
All  creatures,  and  the  spirits  of  the  sky, 
Bow  down  before  thee !  " 

The  royal  galley  headed  toward  the  landing. 
The  great  orchestra  of  eunuchs  and  play  ing-girls 
raised  a  prodigious  din  ;  yet  all  their  music  was 
drowned  by  the  shoutings  of  the  people.  The  staid 
citizens  brandished  their  long  walking-staffs,  and 
cheered  till  the  heavens  seemed  near  cracking.  But 
a  large  corps  of  the  body-guard  had  cleared  a  portion 
of  the  royal  quay,  and  the  party  disembarked  be 
tween  two  files  of  soldiers.  Close  to  the  landing 
waited  the  chariots  —  the  six-spoked  wheels  all 
glistening  with  the  gilding,  more  gilding  on  the 
panels  of  the  body,  the  pole,  and  the  harness,  and 
jewels  and  silver  bells  braided  into  the  manes  of  the 
prancing  bay  Elamites.  For  Atossa  was  ready  a 
four-wheeled  coach,  adorned  as  richly  as  the  chariots, 
drawn  by  two  sleek  gray  mules,  and  with  a  closed 
body,  that  the  daughter  of  Cyrus  might  rest  on  her 
cushions  within,  undisturbed  by  the  vulgar  ken. 
Belshazzar  ceremoniously  waited  upon  the  princess, 
till  Mermaza  closed  the  door  upon  her.  Then  the 


BELSHAZZAK,  THE  KING  21 

king  beckoned  to  Darius  to  mount  one  of  the  chari 
ots,  while  he  leaped  himself  into  another.  "To 
the  palace,"  was  the  royal  command;  but  just  as 
the  charioteers  upraised  their  lashes,  the  steeds  com 
menced  to  plunge  and  rear  almost  beyond  control. 

Along  the  brick-paved  terrace  tugged  several 
lumbering  wains,  for  which  great  and  small  made 
way.  As  the  wagons  approached,  a  low  rumble  pro 
ceeded  from  them,  which  set  all  the  chariot  horses 
prancing,  and  the  women  and  timid  burghers  uttered 
low  cries  and  began  to  mutter  incantations.  The 
eyes  of  Darius  commenced  to  sparkle.  The  meaning 
of  that  rumble  he  knew  right  well. 

"  Lions  ?  "  demanded  he  of  his  chariot-driver. 

"  Yes,  lord,"  the  man  answered,  scarce  reining  the 
horses,  "  twelve  bull-lions  just  taken,  being  sent  to 
Kutha  for  the  king's  preserves." 

The  Persian's  nostrils  dilated  like  a  charger  scent 
ing  battle.  And  as  if  in  answer  to  his  half -breathed 
prayer,  lo  !  one  of  the  oxen,  stung  by  the  goad  and 
fretted  by  the  roarings,  commenced  to  shake  his 
yoke,  halting  obstinately,  and  lifting  a  full-voiced 
bellow.  Instantly  his  mates  answered  ;  the  lions' 
thunders  doubled  ;  the  wagon-train  was  halted. 

Belshazzar  called  fiercely  to  the  chief  wagoner, 
"  Quiet  instantly,  or  fifty  stripes  !  " 

His  voice  was  drowned  in  the  roar.  The  teams 
were  so  near  now  that  one  could  look  into  the  cages, 
and  see  the  great  beasts  pent  up  behind  the  stout 
wooden  bars  ;  bars  that  seemed  all  too  frail  at  this 


22  BELSHAZZAE 

moment,  as  lion  after  lion,  frightened  and  enraged  by 
the  din  of  the  oxen,  the  multitude,  and  his  own 
fellows,  began  to  claw  at  the  bars,  digging  out  huge 
splinters  with  tooth  and  talon,  and  roaring  louder, 
ever  louder. 

Belshazzar's  voice  sounded  now  above  all  the 
noise.  "  Clear  away  this  rabble  !  "  he  was  ordering 
Sirusur,  "  Master  of  the  Host."  "  The  man  who 
sent  the  lion-train  this  way  shall  face  me  to-night. 
Silence  the  beasts,  and  get  off  with  them  !  " 

But  not  the  lord  of  Babylon  and  all  his  guards 
could  still  those  oxen  and  their  maddened  freight. 

Sirusur  did  as  bidden.  His  men  pushed  on  the 
crowd  with  their  sword-scabbards,  but  truth  to 
tell  the  press  was  so  close,  and  the  exits  from  the 
quay  so  cramped,  the  soldiers  could  accomplish  little. 
The  panic  was  spreading  swiftly  enough,  however. 
The  goads  on  the  oxen  had  only  driven  them  into 
deeper  obstinacy. 

"  Look  !  In  Nergal's  name,  look  !  "  cried  Darius's 
charioteer ;  and  before  the  prince's  half-terrified, 
half -exulting  eyes  he  saw  the  lion  within  the  nearest 
cage  leaping  to  and  fro,  trebly  maddened  now  by  all 
the  growing  tumult.  The  wagon  swayed  on  its 
wheels.  The  wooden  bars  gave  a  crash  every 
instant. 

"  Three  more  leaps  and  he  is  free !  "  the  prince  was 
shouting,  transported  by  his  excitement. 

"  Danger  !  The  wagon  topples  ! "  was  the  howl  of 
the  people,  and  at  last  they  began  to  give  way  indeed. 


BELSHAZZAB,  THE  KING  23 

Sirusur,  having  abandoned  his  hopeless  effort  to 
restore  order  and  silence,  hurried  men  to  form  before 
the  chariots,  while  others  ran  to  aid  the  despairing 
drivers.  Late  —  the  unruly  oxen  strained  their 
chains.  Darius  saw  the  heavy  cage  totter,  fall  —  a 
crash,  a  murk  of  dust,  a  noise  that  thrilled  the  stout 
est,  hard  wood  giving  way  under  harder  talons  and 
teeth,  then  a  roar  of  triumph.  Out  of  the  dust  he 
saw  a  kingly  lion  bounding,  in  all  his  panoply  of 
tawny  mane.  As  the  beast  leaped,  drivers  and  sol 
diers  sped  back  like  leaves  before  a  gale.  The  mul 
titude  was  shrinking,  trampling. 

"  The  lion  !     The  lion  !     Loose  !     Escape  !  " 

Belshazzar's  curse  was  heard  above  all  else.  "  Take 
him  alive,  or,  by  Marduk,  you  are  all  flayed ! " 
Some  guardsmen  sprang  forward,  but  the  lion,  crafty 
brute,  did  not  fling  himself  against  those  breasts  of 
steel.  There  were  bowmen  present,  but  the  king 
stayed  their  arrows.  "  Not  a  shaft.  Better  ten 
killed  than  have  him  butchered  !  "  The  soldiers 
stood  impotent,  while  the  lion  ran  with  low  bounds 
straight  into  the  helpless  crowd,  that  recoiled  as  at 
the  touch  of  fire.  Belshazzar  was  in  a  towering  rage. 
"  Nets  and  hot  irons  from  the  palace  !  "  he  thundered. 
"  Impalement  to  all  if  he  escapes  !  " 

The  people  were  screaming,  panic-struck  ;  priests 
were  trampling  down  women  ;  the  noise  grew  inde 
scribable.  The  other  lions  dashed  against  their 
cages.  The  brute  ran  like  a  great  cat  down  the 
lane  opened  through  the  multitude.  A  moment,  and 


24  BELSHAZZAB, 

he  would  have  broken  clear  and  ranged  the  streets. 
But  from  his  own  side  Darius  heard  a  cry  of  mortal 
fear. 

"  Jehovah,  have  mercy  !     Ruth  !     My  daughter  !  " 

In  the  next  chariot  stood  Daniel,  covering  his  face 
with  his  hands.  The  Persian  glanced  toward  the 
lion.  In  the  centre  of  the  lane,  before  the  escaping 
monster,  stood  a  white-clad  girl,  terrified,  shivering, 
her  eyes  upon  the  lion,  fascinated  by  his  gaze,  held 
helpless  as  a  dove  before  the  snake.  How  she  came 
there,  what  fate  ordained  that  she  alone  of  those 
thousands  should  be  left  to  confront  the  monster,  that 
was  no  time  to  know.  But  present  she  was,  and 
before  her  the  lion.  The  whole  scene  passed  in  less 
time  than  the  telling.  The  beast  had  instantly  for 
gotten  his  own  perils.  Keepers,  soldiers,  multitude, 
all  ignored.  He  seemed  again  in  his  forest  —  fair 
prey !  That  was  all  he  knew  ! 

The  lion  sank  low  upon  the  earth,  and  crept  by 
little  leaps  nearer,  nearer.  The  charming  fire  in  the 
eyeballs  Darius  saw  not,  but  he  saw  the  red,  lolling 
tongue,  the  bristling  mane,  the  great  tail  undulating 
at  the  tip,  the  paws  fit  to  crush  an  ox.  Daniel  was 
turning  away  his  face. 

"  Arrows,  O  king  !  Shoot !  My  only  one  !  " 
pleaded  he  ;  but  Belshazzar  flung  back,  "  What  is  a 
maid  beside  a  royal  lion  !  Too  far  —  no  bow  can 
carry  !  " 

Many  an  archer's  fingers  tightened  around  his 
bow,  but  the  king's  eye  was  on  them.  Not  a  shaft 


.2 

.c 

1 

o 

0, 


BELSHAZZAR  THE  KING  25 

flew.  There  was  a  moment's  silence,  lions  and  oxen 
hushed.  A  low  moan  seemed  rising  from  the 
people.  The  lion  had  covered  twenty  of  the  thirty 
paces  betwixt  him  and  his  prey.  The  maid  was 
quaking,  yet  her  feet  seemed  turned  to  stone. 
Belshazzar  stood  in  his  car,  no  god  more  splendid, 
more  merciless. 

"  Pity  me,  O  king  !  "  was  Daniel's  last  appeal. 
He  had  leaped  down,  and  grovelled  as  a  worm  before 
the  royal  car. 

"  Too  late,"  came  the  answer,  "  only  Bel's  bolt 
now  can  save  ! "  What  joy  to  the  king  to  see 
those  lithe  limbs  in  the  monster's  clutch  !  But  a 
great  cry  had  broken  from  Darius. 

"  No,  in  the  name  of  Ahura  the  merciful ! " 
Few  saw  him,  bounding  from  his  chariot,  pluck  bow 
and  quiver  from  a  soldier.  The  lion  coiled  his 
limbs  for  the  final  leap  ;  men  saw  his  body  spring 
as  a  stone  from  a  catapult ;  heard  a  twitter  of  a  bow, 
and  right  at  the  bound  the  shaft  entered  the  shoulder, 
cunningly  sped.  A  roar  of  dying  agony,  the  body 
dashed  upon  the  pavement  at  the  girl's  feet.  No  sec 
ond  shaft  needed  —  a  twitch,  a  great  bestial  groan. 
Darius  had  proved  his  title,  "  King  of  the  Bow." 

But  Belshazzar,  who  had  seen  the  shot  but  not  the 
archer,  blazed  out  in  blind  fury,  "  As  Marduk  rules, 
who  shot  ?  Impale  him  !  " 

Darius  stepped  beside  the  royal  chariot ;  his  pose 
was  very  haughty.  "My  lord,"  said  he,  "I  give 
proof  we  Persians  are  fair  huntsmen." 


26  BELSHAZZAR 

Belshazzar's  hand  went  to  his  sword-hilt,  but 
Darius  met  the  flame  in  his  eyes  unflinchingly. 
By  a  great  effort  the  king  controlled  himself,  but 
did  not  risk  speech.  The  drivers  had  mastered  the 
oxen,  the  lions  grew  still.  The  people  were  shout 
ing  in  delight,  "  Glory  to  Nergal  !  The  Persian  is 
peer  to  the  hero  Gilgamesh  !  " 

Daniel  was  kissing  Darius's  shoes,  his  voice  too 
choked  for  thanks.  But  a  young  man  with  a  force 
ful,  frank  face,  a  manly  form,  dressed  like  Daniel, 
very  simply,  came  and  kissed,  not  the  shoes,  but  the 
dust  at  Darius's  feet. 

"  For  life  I  am  your  slave,  O  prince  !  You  have 
saved  me  my  betrothed  !  "  Then  he  ran  among 
the  people  to  lead  away  the  girl.  Belshazzar  ven 
tured  to  speak. 

"  How  now,  Daniel  ? "  ignoring  Darius.  "  By 
Nergal,  your  wench  has  been  the  death  of  an  Afri 
can  lion !  Why  here  ?  You  keep  her  locked  at 
home,  safe  as  a  gold  talent.  I  have  never  seen  her." 

"She  was  with  Isaiah,  her  betrothed.  In  the 
crowd  they  were  swept  asunder.  The  king  saw  the 
rest." 

Belshazzar  was  still  raging. 

"  Yes,  verily.  A  rare  bull -lion  sacrificed  for  a 
slip  of  a  wench  like  her  !  "  Then  to  the  eunuchs  : 
"  Run,  bring  the  lass  to  me.  Rare  treasure  she 
must  prove  to  make  her  more  precious  than  the 
lion." 

Darius  saw  a  fresh  cloud  on  the  old  Jew's  face. 


BELSHAZZAK   THE  KING  27 

In  a  moment  Isaiah  and  the  maid  were  before  the 
king.  Very  young  and  fragile  seemed  the  Jewess. 
The  blood  had  not  returned  to  the  smooth  brown 
cheeks.  Her  black  hair  was  scattered  in  little  curls, 
for  veil  and  fillet  had  been  torn  away.  She  looked 
about  with  great,  scared  eyes,  and  all  could  see  her 
tremble.  She  started  to  kneel  before  the  king,  but 
Belshazzar,  regarding  her,  gave  a  mighty  laugh. 

"  Good,  by  Istar !  So  this  is  your  treasure, 
Daniel  ?  Not  the  Egibi  bankers  possess  a  greater, 
you  doubtless  swear.  Stand  up,  my  maid.  Bel 
never  made  those  eyes  to  stare  upon  that  dusty  road. 
Closer.  Look  at  me,  and  I  vow  I  will  forgive  you 
the  lion.  There  are  more  in  the  marshes,  but  only 
one  daughter  of  Daniel  ! " 

"  Look  up,  child ;  his  Majesty  bids  you,"  the  old 
Hebrew  was  saying,  but  his  face  was  very  grave. 
Ruth  raised  her  great  eyes  ;  her  lips  moved,  as  if  in 
some  answer,  but  no  sound  came.  Belshazzar  smiled 
down  upon  her  from  his  car.  Atossa  was  to  be  his 
queen,  but  when  was  a  king  of  Babylon  denied  a 
maid  that  was  pleasant  to  his  eyes  ?  He  turned  to 
Darius. 

"  Now,  by  every  god,  I  thank  you,  Persian.  I 
was  about  to  curse,  but  your  archery  saved  one 
beside  whom  Istar's  self  must  flush  in  shame.  Well 
are  you  named  '  King  of  the  Bow.' " 

Then  he  gazed  again  upon  the  maid.  "  Mermaza," 
he  commanded,  "  put  the  girl  in  a  chariot,  and  take 
her  to  the  palace  harem.  Give  her  dresses  and 


28  BELSHAZZAR, 

jewels  like  the  sun.  Do  you,  Daniel,  draw  five 
talents  from  the  treasury.  Not  enough  ?  Ten 
then.  Fair  payment  for  a  daughter  —  ha  !  " 

Daniel  was  on  his  knees  before  the  king. 
"Mercy  !  Hear  me,  my  lord.  If  ever,  by  faithful 
ness  serving  you  and  your  fathers,  I  gather  some 
store  of  gratitude  —  " 

Belshazzar  cut  him  short.  "  Now  does  Anu,  lord 
of  the  air,  topple  down  heaven  ?  What  father  says 
to  a  king,  4  Mercy.  Give  back  my  daughter '  ? 
Oh,  presumption  !  No  more,  or  you  forfeit  the 
money." 

"The  money,"  groaned  Daniel,  "the  price  of 
my  daughter  ?  Kiss  the  earth,  Ruth ;  and  you, 
Isaiah,  entreat  the  king  to  forbear  !  " 

Belshazzar  turned  his  back.  "Fool,"  he  cried, 
"  the  money  is  truly  forfeit  !  Away  with  her,  Mer- 
maza.  Great  mercy  I  leave  the  Jew  his  life." 

But  Darius  deliberately  thrust  himself  before  the 
king,  and  looked  him  in  the  face.  "  My  lord,"  he 
said  soberly,  "  if  to  any,  the  girl  belongs  to  me.  I 
saved  her  and  restore  her  to  her  father." 

"  You  beard  me  thus,  Persian,  barbarian  !  "  broke 
forth  Belshazzar,  again  in  his  wrath.  The  prince 
answered  him  very  slowly  :  — 

"  Your  Majesty,  in  me  you  see  the  '  eyes  and  ears  ' 
of  Cyrus,  lord  of  the  Aryans.  What  if  I  report  in 
Susa,  '  On  the  day  I  delivered  Atossa  to  Belshazzar, 
he,  before  her  own  eyes,  showed  his  esteem  for  her 
by  haling  to  his  harem  a  maid  chance  sent  him  on 


BELSHAZZAR,  THE  KING  29 

the  streets '  ?  Would  such  a  tale  knit  the  alliance 
firmer?" 

Avil-Marduk  was  beside  the  king  in  the  chariot, 
and  he  whispered  in  the  royal  ear,  "  Risk  nothing. 
Dismiss  the  maid  ;  the  eunuchs  can  watch  for  her  and 
secure  her  quietly." 

Belshazzar  was  again  calm.  His  passion  was 
swift;  he  subdued  it  more  swiftly.  "Son  of 
Hystaspes,"  said  he,  with  easy  candour,  "  I  am  a 
man  of  sudden  moods.  The  maid  pleased  me ; 
but,  by  Istar,  I  did  not  think  to  insult  the  prin 
cess.  Let  the  Jews  go  in  peace,  and  to  heal  their 
hurts  let  the  treasurer  weigh  to  each  a  talent. 
The  Jewess  shall  sleep  safe  as  a  goddess's  image  in 
the  temple.  I  swear  it,  on  the  word  of  a  king  of 
Babylon.  Enough,  and  now  to  the  palace." 

Darius  was  received  with  stately  hospitality  at 
the  palace.  He  was  told  the  arrangements  made 
for  Belshazzar's  bride.  The  king  would  give  her 
a  great  betrothal  feast  at  the  Hanging  Gardens, 
but  could  not  wed  her  for  one  year  ;  for  before 
marriage  she  must  be  taught  the  religious  duties 
of  a  queen  of  Babylon.  Darius  paced  the  open 
terrace  of  the  palace  that  evening.  Below  him 
and  all  about  lay  the  city  of  the  Chaldees,  fair  as 
a  vision  of  heaven,  with  the  white  moon  riding 
above  the  tower  of  Bel.  But  the  beauty  of  the 
city  brought  no  joy.  Into  the  hands  of  what 
manner  of  man  had  Atossa  fallen  ?  The  desire  of 


30  BELSHAZZAE, 

Belshazzar  to  sacrifice  the  maiden  for  the  beast, 
followed  by  the  outburst  of  carnal  passion  —  how 
unlike  this  king  to  Cyrus,  whom  the  meanest  Per 
sian  loved !  At  last,  when  it  had  grown  very  dark, 
Darius  looked  about  him.  No  one  was  near.  He 
lifted  his  hands  toward  the  starry  sky. 

"  Verily  this  Babylon  is  a  city  of  wickedness,  and 
most  evil  of  all  is  its  cruel  king.  But  I  am  young. 
I  am  strong.  Belshazzar  shall  not  possess  Atossa 
for  one  year.  And  in  that  year  a  brave  man  may 
do  much  —  much.  Help  Thou  me,  Ahura-Mazda, 
Lord  God  of  my  fathers  !  " 


CHAPTER  III 

NEAR  the  meeting  of  the  great  Nana-Sakipat 
Street  with  Ai-Bur-Schabu  Street  stood  the 
banking-house  of  the  "Sons  of  Egibi."  The  long 
bridge  of  floats  across  the  river  was  close  by,  and 
in  and  out  the  portals  of  the  wide  river-gate  poured 
a  constant  stream  of  veiled  ladies,  with  their  guar 
dian  eunuchs,  intent  on  shopping,  of  donkey  boys, 
carters,  pedlers,  and  priests.  Under  the  shade  of 
the  great  stone  bull  guarding  one  side  of  the  en 
trance,  the  district  judge  was  sitting  on  his  stool, 
listening  to  noisy  litigants ;  from  the  brass  founder's 
shop  opposite  rose  the  clang  of  hammers ;  and  under 
his  open  booth  descended  a  stairway  to  Nur-Samas's 
beer-house,  by  which  many  went  down  and  few 
ascended,  for  it  was  hard  to  recollect  one's  cares 
while  over  the  drinking-pots. 

The  Egibis'  office,  like  all  the  other  shops,  was  a 
room  open  to  all  comers,  nearly  level  with  the  way, 
without  door  or  window,  but  made  cool  by  the  green 
awning  stretched  across  the  street  in  front,  and 
the  shadow  cast  by  the  high  houses  opposite.  In 
the  office  many  young  clerks  were  on  their  stools, 

31 


82  BELSHAZZAR 

each  busily  writing  on  the  frames  of  damp  clay  in 
their  laps  with  a  wedge-headed  stylus.  Itti-Marduk, 
present  head  of  this  the  greatest  banking-house  of 
Babylon,  was  a  plainly  dressed,  quiet-speaking  man ; 
and  only  the  great  rubies  in  his  earrings  and  the 
rare  Arabian  pomade  on  his  hair  told  that  he  could 
hold  up  his  head  before  any  lord  of  Chaldea  saving 
Belshazzar  himself.  At  this  moment  he  was  enter 
taining  no  less  a  client  than  Avil-Marduk,  the  chief 
priest,  who  came  in  company  with  his  boon  com 
panion,  the  priest  Neriglissor,  as  did  all  the  city  at 
one  or  another  time,  to  ask  an  advance  from  the 
omnipotent  broker.  As  for  Itti,  he  was  angling 
his  fish  after  his  manner,  keeping  up  a  constant 
stream  of  polite  small  talk,  sending  out  a  lad  to 
bring  perfumed  water  to  bathe  his  noble  guests' 
feet,  and  yet  making  it  plain  all  the  while  that 
current  rates  of  interest  were  exceedingly  heavy. 

"  Alas !  "  the  worthy  banker  was  bewailing,  "  that 
I  must  speak  of  shekels  and  manehs  before  friends, 
but  what  with  heavy  remittances  I  must  send  to 
agents  in  Erech,  with  the  farmers  all  calling  for 
funds  to  pay  their  help  for  the  coming  season,  and 
a  heavy  loan  to  be  placed  by  his  Majesty  to  complete 
the  fortifications  of  Borsippa,  I  have  been  put  to 
straits  to  raise  so  much  as  a  talent;  and  were  you 
any  other  than  yourself,  my  dear  high  priest,  I  fear 
I  could  do  nothing  for  you." 

"  Yet  I  swear  by  Samas,"  protested  the  pontiff, 
with  a  wry  face  at  the  loan-contract  before  him, 


THE   YOKE   OF   THE   CHALDEES  33 

"  you  have  enough  in  your  caskets  to  build  us  poor 
priests  of  Bel  a  new  ziggurat." 

"  A  new  ziggurat !  "  protested  the  banker  ;  "  am  I 
like  Ea,  able  to  see  all  hidden  riches?  I  declare  to 
you  that  what  with  the  rumour  that  the  tribes  in  the 
southern  marshes  around  Teredon  are  restless,  money 
becomes  as  scarce  as  snow  in  midsummer.  Ramman 
forbid  that  anything  come  of  the  report!  It  will 
wither  all  credit !  "  So  at  last,  with  many  protests 
from  Avil,  the  contract  was  signed,  and  stored  away 
in  a  stout  earthen  jar,  in  the  strong  room  of  the 
cellar,  where  lay  countless  jugs  of  account  books. 
And  Itti,  to  make  his  guest  forget  that  he  had  just 
bargained  to  pay  "  twelve  shekels  on  the  maneh," l 
inquired  genially  if  the  recent  taking  of  the  omens 
had  chanced  to  be  fortunate.  He  was  met  by  blank 
faces  both  from  Avil  and  his  chariot  comrade,  the 
toothless  old  "  anointer  of  Bel,"  Neriglissor. 

"The  omens  are  direful,"  began  the  latter,  in  a 
horrified  whisper. 

"  Hush  ! "  admonished  the  chief  priest,  "  a  state 
secret.  To  breathe  it  on  the  streets  would  send  corn 
to  a  famine  price." 

The  banker  had  pricked  up  his  ears.  "  I  am  not 
curious  in  matters  of  state ;  Marduk  forbid  !  Yet 
if  in  confidence  I  were  told  anything  —  " 

Neriglissor  was  only  too  ready  to  begin.  "The 
Persians,"  he  whispered,  "  the  Persians !  Barbarous 
dogs  I  Faugh !  I  sicken  thinking  of  the  strong 
1  Twenty  per  cent  annually. 


34  BELSHAZZAR, 

Median  nard  the  daughter  of  Cyrus  smeared  on  her 
hair ! " 

Itti  smiled  benevolently.  "What  Persian  can 
have  the  delicate  taste  of  a  Babylonian?  Yet  you 
have  not  told  the  omen." 

Neriglissor's  voice  sank  yet  lower.  "These  Per 
sians  are  friends  to  the  Jews,  that  race  of  blas 
phemers.  Each  nation  worships  the  same  demon, 
though  the  Jews  style  him  Jehovah,  the  Persians 
Ahura-Mazda.  Long  have  the  pious  foreseen  that 
unless  these  unbelievers  were  kept  out  of  Babylon 
the  gods  would  be  angry.  Yesterday  this  Atossa 
comes  to  Babylon  to  be  his  Majesty's  queen.  Thus 
we  are  about  to  strike  hands  with  the  foes  of  the 
gods,  as  if  it  were  not  enough  to  continue  the  old 
scoffer  Daniel  in  office.  And  this  morning  follows 
the  omen." 

Itti  was  bending  over  that  not  a  word  might 
escape.  Neriglissor  continued,  "As  Iln-ciya,  the 
chief  prophet,  and  I  stood  by  the  temple  gate,  a 
band  of  street  dogs,  all  unawares,  strayed  past,  and 
entered  the  enclosure." 

Itti  started  as  he  sat,  forgot  his  manehs,  and 
began  to  mutter  an  invocation  to  Ramman,  while 
his  lips  twitched.  "  Impossible  !  "  was  all  he  could 
gasp. 

"  Too  true,"  put  in  Avil,  solemnly.  "  You  know 
the  ancient  oracle,"  and  he  rolled  out  the  formula  :  — 

"  « When  dogs  in  a  court  of  a  temple  meet, 
The  hosts  of  the  city  face  swift  defeat.' 


THE  YOKE  OF  THE  CHALDEES  35 

We  brought  the  news  to  the  king.  He  is  all  anxiety. 
There  will  be  a  special  council  and  consulting  of  the 
oracles.  We  trust,  by  laying  extra  burdens  on  these 
stubborn  Jews,  we  can  in  some  measure  avert  the 
wrath  of  heaven.  Yet  this  is  a  fearful  portent,  just 
as  his  Majesty  is  about  to  marry  a  Persian." 

Itti  was  still  shaking  his  head,  when  an  increased 
din  rising  from  the  street  warned  Avil  that  there 
would  be  no  passing  at  present  for  his  chariot. 

44  Way !  way !  "  a  squad  of  spearmen  were  bawl 
ing,  forcing  back  the  traffickers  to  either  side.  The 
banker  and  his  guests  stared  forth  curiously. 

44  Way !  way !  "  the  shout  grew  louder,  and  behind 
sounded  a  creaking  and  a  rumbling.  The  chief  priest 
glanced  toward  the  gate. 

44  The  new  stone  bull,"  commented  he,  44  comes 
from  Karkhemish.  They  landed  it  above  the 
bridge ;  now  they  drag  it  to  the  old  palace  of 
Nabupolassar,  which  the  king  is  repairing." 

44  Then  the  Jews,"  remarked  Itti  shrewdly,  44  are 
already  being  rewarded  for  their  impiety.  Has 
not  the  labour  gang  been  taken  from  their  nation  ?  " 

44  You  are  right,"  said  Avil,  44  they  will  fast  learn 
that  to  keep  clear  of  forced  labour  they  must  go  to 
the  ziggurat  and  the  grove  of  Istar." 

44  Strange  people,"  declared  Itti,  44  so  steadfast 
to  their  helpless  god !  " 

44  If  Marduk  gives  me  life,"  swore  Avil,  44 1  will 
bend  their  stiff  necks.  His  Majesty  promises  .the 
indulgence  of  former  reigns  shall  end  forever." 


36  BELSHAZZAR 

The  rumbling  in  the  streets  drowned  further 
words.  Long  before  the  bull  came  in  sight  appeared 
four  long  lines  of  panting  men,  naked  save  for  loin 
cloths,  dusty,  sullen.  Each  man  tugged  at  a  sl>ort 
cord,  made  fast  in  turn  to  one  of  the  four  heavy 
cables  stretching  far  behind  them.  At  times  the 
march  would  come  to  dead  halt;  then  every  back 
would  bend,  and  at  a  shout  from  the  rear  the  hun 
dreds  would  pull  as  one,  and  start  forward  with  a 
jerk.  The  laggards  were  spurred  on  by  the  prick 
of  the  lances  of  the  spearmen  outside  the  lines,  or 
felt  the  staffs  of  the  overseers  who  walked  between 
the  cables.  Young  boys  ran  in  and  out  with  water 
jars,  and  now  and  then  a  weary  wretch  would  drop 
from  the  line  to  gulp  down  a  draught,  and  run  back 
to  his  toil.  So  the  long  snake  wound  down  the  street, 
groaning,  panting,  cursing.  Behind  this  thundered 
the  bull.  The  stone  monster  was  upon  a  boat-shaped 
sledge,  itself  the  height  of  a  man.  Busy  hands  laid 
rollers  before  it.  To  steady  its  mass,  men  ran  be 
side,  holding  taut  the  cords  fixed  to  the  tips  of  the 
huge  wings.  On  the  front  of  the  sledge  stood  the 
guard's  captain,  bellowing  orders  through  a  speaking 
trumpet.  The  bull  reared  above  him  to  thrice  his 
height.  Last  of  all  came  many  toiling  from  behind, 
with  heavy  wooden  levers. 

"Ah,  noble  Avil,"  called  the  guard's  captain, 
familiarly,  "who  would  say  the  chief  priest  makes 
way  for  Igas-Ramman,  captain  of  a  fifty?" 

And    Avil,    recognizing    a    friend,    called    back, 


THE  YOKE  OF   THE   CHALDEES  37 

"  Beware,  or  I  beg  your  head  of  the  king  !  Make 
the  Jews  give  full  service." 

"  They  shall,  by  Nabu !  "  And  Igas  trumpeted, 
"  Faster  now  I  Wings  of  eagles !  Feet  of  hares, 
or  your  backs  smart !  " 

The  overseers'  blows  doubled,  the  bull  swayed 
as  it  leaped  forward,  but  suddenly  Igas  cursed. 
"  Now,  by  the  Maskim,  foul  genii  of  the  deep,  what 
is  this  ?  Down  again,  worthless  ox !  " 

An  old  man  had  fallen  from  line.  Overcome  by 
weariness  he  lay  on  the  stone  slabs  while  the  strokes 
of  the  overseers'  staffs  made  him  writhe.  Rise  he 
could  not.  Neriglissor  recognized  him. 

"A  Jew  named  Abiathar,  a  great  blasphemer  of 
Marduk.  Ha  !  Smite  again,  again !  " 

Igas  leaped  into  the  throng,  waving  a  terrific 
Ethiopian  whip  of  rhinoceros  hide.  At  the  second 
blow  blood  reddened  the  flags.  The  Hebrew 
groaned,  tried  vainly  to  rise. 

"  Beast,"  raged  Igas,  swinging  again,  "  you  shall 
indeed  be  taught  not  to  lag  !  " 

The  great  whip  whisked  on  high,  but  just  as  it 
fell,  a  heavy  hand  sent  the  captain  sprawling. 
Young  Isaiah  stood  above  the  prostrate  Igas,  his 
eyes  burning  with  righteous  wrath,  his  form  erect. 

"Coward!  You  will  not  strike  twice  a  man  of 
your  own  age !  " 

The  spearmen  stood  blinking  at  Isaiah  in  sheer 
astonishment.  Igas  crawled  to  his  feet ;  rage  choked 
the  curses  in  his  throat,  then  flowed  forth  a  torrent 


38  BELSHAZZAK 

of  imprecations.      In   his  wrath  he  forgot  even  to 
call  for  help. 

"  Beetle !  "  howled  he,  bounding  on  Isaiah.  But 
the  Jew  had  caught  the  whip,  lashed  it  across  the 
guards  captain's  shoulders,  and  raised  a  smarting 
welt.  Then  at  last  all  leaped  on  the  intruder,  but 
he  laid  about  as  seven,  till  a  stroke  of  a  cudgel 
dashed  the  whip  from  his  grasp  ;  he  was  carried 
off  his  feet,  overpowered,  and  gripped  fast.  Around 
the  motionless  bull  a  tumultuous  crowd  was  swell 
ing,  when  a  squad  of  red-robed  "  street- wardens  " 
hastened  up  to  arrest  the  peace-breakers. 

"  High  treason  against  the  king ! "  Igas  was 
screeching.  "His  head  off  before  sunset!"  But 
the  police  rescued  Isaiah  from  the  spearmen,  and 
their  chief  urged  :  — 

"Softly,  excellent  captain,  he  must  be  tried  be 
fore  the  judge." 

"A  Jew!  A  Jew!"  shouted  many.  "Away 
with  him  !  Strike  !  Kill  I  " 

The  multitude  seemed  growing  riotous,  and  ready 
to  attack  the  police,  when  a  new  band  of  runners 
commenced  forcing  a  passage. 

"  Way !  way !  for  the  noble  Persian  Darius  and 
the  Vizier  Bilsandan !  "  was  the  cry ;  but  to  the 
astonishment  of  those  in  the  banking-house,  they 
saw  the  young  envoy  leap  from  his  chariot  and 
plunge  before  his  escort  into  the  crowd.  Dashing 
back  the  mob  with  sturdy  blows  from  his  scabbard, 
he  was  in  an  instant  beside  the  Jew.  For  a  moment 


THE   YOKE   OF   THE   CHALDEES  39 

few  recognized  him.  Igas  thrust  at  him  with  a 
lance,  a  quick  thrust,  yet  more  quickly  had  Darius 
unsheathed,  and  struck  off  the  spearhead.  "Trea 
son  !  Rebellion  !  A  plot !  "  shouted  a  hundred.  The 
police  endeavoured  to  arrest  the  new  offender. 

44  Death  to  the  Jews  !  "  rang  the  yell,  as  many 
hands  were  outstretched.  But  the  Persian  had 
released  Isaiah,  and  thrust  a  cudgel  in  his  hands. 
His  own  sword  shone  very  bright. 

44  Guard  my  back  !  "  commanded  he,  and  braced 
himself.  The  crowd  cut  him  off  from  his  escort. 

Avil  cried  vainly  across  the  deafening  tumult. 

44  Hold,  on  your  lives !  Will  you  murder  the 
Persian  envoy?" 

There  was  a  rush,  a  struggle  ;  those  thrust  against 
Darius  shrank  back  howling,  all  save  two,  who  had 
tasted  his  short  sword. 

In  the  respite  following,  Bilsandan  had  forced 
himself  to  the  envoy's  side.  Mere  sight  of  the 
vizier  was  enough  to  enforce  quiet. 

44  Peace,  dogs !  "  thundered  Bilsandan.  44  Why 
this  tumult?" 

Darius  had  sheathed  his  sword,  but  looked  about 
smiling.  Joy  to  show  these  city  folk  the  edge  of 
Aryan  steel ! 

44 1  struck  only  in  self-defence,"  quoth  he  to  the 
vizier.  44  You  saw  the  cruelty  of  this  scorpion. 
Isaiah  deserves  reward  for  avenging  the  old  man. 
I  will  mention  the  evil  deed  of  this  captain  to 
the  king.  We  Persians  hold  that  he  who  reveres 


40  BELSHAZZAR 

not  the  gray  head  will  still  less  reverence  the 
crown." 

Igas  was  falling  on  his  knees  before  Darius. 
Well  he  knew  Belshazzar  would  snuff  out  his  life 
so  cheaply  to  humour  the  envoy  of  Cyrus,  if  only 
Darius  asked  it.  But  the  Persian  laughed  good- 
naturedly,  forced  him  to  swear  he  would  pay  old 
Abiathar  two  manehs,  for  salve  to  his  stripes,  and 
the  king  should  hear  nothing  about  it.  As  for 
Isaiah,  spearmen  and  police  were  glad  to  leave  him 
at  liberty.  They  bore  the  two  wounded  away. 
Darius  was  about  to  return  to  the  chariot  in  which 
Bilsandan  had  been  driving  him  about  the  city,  but 
gave  Isaiah  a  last  word.  "  By  Mithra,  I  love  you, 
Jew !  You  are  like  myself,  swift  as  a  thunderbolt, 
striking  first  and  taking  counsel  later." 

"  Jehovah  bless  you  again,  my  prince  !  "  cried  the 
other.  "How  may  I  repay?  They  would  have 
taken  my  life." 

So  Darius  was  gone.  The  bull  lumbered  on  its 
way.  Isaiah  alone  remained  to  help  home  the 
wretched  Abiathar.  As  he  bargained  with  a  carter 
to  take  the  old  man  to  his  home  on  the  Arachtu 
Canal,  Avil-Marduk  called  from  the  banking-house : 
"  Praise  Bel,  Hebrew,  you  are  not  on  the  way  to 
execution !  Be  advised.  I  love  men  of  your  spirit. 
Enter  our  service  at  the  ziggurat,  and,  by  Istar, 
you  may  wear  the  goatskin  in  my  place  some 
day!" 

Isaiah  held   up   his  head   haughtily.     "I   would 


THE   YOKE   OF   THE   CHALDEES  41 

indeed  enter  the  service  of  a  god  —  not  of  Bel- 
Marduk,  but  of  Jehovah.  I  am  a  Jew,  my  lord." 

Avil  smiled  patronizingly.  "  Excellent  youth, 
you  are  too  wise  to  think  I  do  not  set  your  wish 
at  true  value.  No  offence,  but  where  does  Jehovah 
rule  to-day  ?  Fifty  years  long  we  have  used  the 
dishes  from  His  temple  at  your  village  of  Jerusalem, 
in  our  own  worship  of  Bel-Marduk.  Your  god  is 
helpless  or  forsakes  you  ;  no  shame  to  forsake  Him." 

Isaiah  bowed  respectfully.  "Your  lordship,  we 
gain  little  by  debate,"  replied  he. 

"  Nevertheless,"  quoth  Avil,  blandly,  "  I  am  grieved 
to  see  a  young  man  of  your  fair  parts  throw  his 
opportunities  away.  Be  led  by  me  ;  what  do  you 
owe  Jehovah?  Bel-Marduk  will  prove  a  more  lib 
eral  patron.  You  are  Jew  only  in  name,  your  birth 
and  breeding  have  been  in  this  Babylon.  To  her 
gods  you  should  owe  your  fealty.  Believe  me,  I 
speak  as  a  friend  —  " 

Isaiah  straightened  himself  haughtily. 

"My  Lord  Avil,  do  not  think  Jehovah  is  like 
your  Bel,  the  god  of  one  city,  of  one  nation.  For 
from  the  east  to  the  gates  of  the  sun  in  the  west  is 
His  government.  And  all  the  peoples  are  subject 
unto  Him,  though  the  most  part  know  it  not." 

The  high  priest's  lip  curled  a  little  scornfully. 
"  Truly,"  flew  his  answer,  "  Jehovah  displays  His 
omnipotence  in  strange  ways,  —  to  let  the  one 
nation  that  affects  to  serve  Him  languish  in 
captivity." 


42  BELSHAZZAR 

"  I  fear  many  words  of  mine  will  not  make  your 
lordship  understand,"  replied  Isaiah ;  and  he  bowed 
again  and  was  gone.  Those  in  the  banking-house 
looked  at  one  another. 

"  Sad  that  so  promising  a  youth  must  cast  himself 
away  in  fanatical  devotion  to  his  helpless  god,"  com 
mented  Itti  the  banker.  "  Yet  he  only  imitates 
his  father,  Shadrach,  the  late  royal  minister." 

"  Young  as  he  is,"  responded  Avil,  "  he  is  already 
a  power  amongst  his  countrymen.  He  has  the  repu 
tation  of  being  a  prophet  of  their  Jehovah,  and  many 
treat  him  with  high  respect.  Nevertheless,  if  he  is 
not  better  counselled  soon,  he  will  find  his  head 
in  danger,  unless  the  king  stops  his  ears  to  my 
warnings." 

Isaiah  walked  beside  Abiathar  as  the  cart  rumbled 
homeward.  The  old  Jew  was  all  groans  and  moans. 

"  Ah,  woe !  "  he  was  bewailing,  "  is  this  to  be  the 
reward  of  the  Lord  God  for  remembering  Him,  and 
keeping  away  from  the  ziggurat !  Stripes  and  forced 
labour  and  insult !  Speak  as  you  will,  good  Isaiah, 
you  who  have  the  civil-minister  to  protect  you  from 
all  harm ;  it  is  easy  for  you  to  toss  out  brave  words. 
You  are  passing  rich;  we  are  poor,  and  all  the 
stripes  crack  over  our  shoulders ! " 

"  Hush !  "  admonished  the  younger  Jew,  severely ; 
"my  perils  are  great  as  yours,  did  you  but  know 
them.  It  is  for  our  sins  this  trouble  is  visited  upon 
us.  Our  fathers  have  forgotten  Jehovah,  and  is  He 


THE  YOKE  OF   THE   CHALDEES  43 

not  now  visiting  their  sins  upon  us,  unto  the  third 
and  fourth  generation,  even  as  says  His  Law  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  know,"  replied  the  other,  moodily ;  "  I 
only  know  that  a  little  oil  and  fruit  offered  now  and 
then  to  Sin  or  Samas  would  cure  many  aching 
backs ! " 

Isaiah  did  not  answer  him.  In  truth,  there  was 
very  little  to  reply.  He  walked  beside  the  wagon 
until  Abiathar  was  safe  at  his  little  house  by  the 
Western  Canal.  Then  he  left  him,  and  went  in  the 
bitterness  of  his  spirit  to  the  palace  of  Daniel,  near 
the  Gate  of  Beltis  in  the  inner  city. 

Like  all  Babylonian  gentlemen,  the  civil-minister 
had  an  extensive  establishment,  though  the  exterior 
was  gloomy  and  windowless.  When  Isaiah  had 
entered  the  narrow  gate  he  found  himself  in  a  spa 
cious  court,  surrounded  by  a  two-story  veranda, 
upborne  on  palm  trunks.  In  the  court  were  ferns, 
flowers,  and  a  little  fountain ;  an  awning  covered 
the  opening  toward  the  sky.  In  a  farther  corner 
maid-servants  were  pounding  grain  and  sitting  over 
their  embroidery. 

Isaiah  entered  unceremoniously;  but  just  at  the 
inner  door  of  the  farther  side  of  the  court  he  came 
on  Daniel  himself,  dressed  in  his  whitest  robe,  and 
surrounded  by  several  servants,  as  if  about  to  set 
forth  in  his  chariot. 

"  My  father !  "  And  the  younger  Hebrew  fell  on 
his  knees  while  the  other's  hand  outstretched  in 
blessing. 


44  BELSHAZZAR 

"The  peace  of  Jehovah  cover  you,  my  son," 
declared  the  old  man.  Yet  when  Isaiah  had  risen, 
he  was  startled  at  the  anxiety  written  on  the  other's 
face.  He  knew  it  was  no  light  thing  that  could 
shake  the  civil-minister  out  of  his  wonted  calm. 

"As  Jehovah  lives,"  adjured  the  younger  Jew, 
"what  has  befallen?  Where  are  you  going?  You 
do  not  commonly  ride  abroad  in  the  heat  of  the 
day." 

"  I  have  urgent  need  of  going  to  Borsippa  to  see 
my  good  friend  Imbi-Ilu,  high  priest  of  Nabu,  on  a 
private  matter."  The  effort  to  speak  lightly  was 
so  evident  that  Isaiah's  fears  were  only  doubled. 

The  minister  turned  to  the  others. 

"Tell  Absalom  to  hasten  with  harnessing  the 
chariots,"  commanded  Daniel.  The  servants  took 
the  hint  and  withdrew.  Their  master  cast  a  search 
ing  glance  about  the  courtyard,  to  make  sure  that 
no  others  were  in  easy  earshot. 

"  Listen."  His  speech  sank  to  a  whisper.  "  I  am 
in  sore  anxiety  concerning  the  safety  of  Ruth." 

"  Of  Ruth !  "  Isaiah's  grave  face  grew  dark  as 
the  thunder-cloud.  "How?  Who  threatens?" 

Daniel  spoke  yet  lower.  "This  day  I  have  re 
ceived  a  message  from  friends  in  the  palace,  that  the 
king  still  remembers  her  beauty,  and  desires  her. 
His  promise  to  Darius  was  a  lie,  to  appease  the 
envoy  for  the  moment.  I  dare  not  doubt  that  some 
attempt  will  be  made  by  Mermaza,  or  by  others  of 
his  spawn,  to  carry  away  the  girl  at  the  first  con- 


THE  YOKE  OF  THE  CHALDEES  45 

venient  opportunity.  She  must  not  sally  abroad, 
however  much  she  may  desire  it.  I  do  not  know 
how  great  is  the  immediate  danger,  but  there  is 
nought  to  be  risked.  On  this  account  I  am  going 
to  Borsippa  without  delay." 

"  Then  as  our  God  rewardeth  evil  for  evil,  so  will 
I  reward  the  king !  "  Isaiah  had  turned  livid  with 
his  wrath.  "I  will  slay  Belshazzar  with  my  own 
hand,  and  then  let  them  kill  me  with  slow  tortures." 

Daniel  smiled  despite  his  heavy  heart. 

"Small  gain  would  that  be  to  our  people.  The 
fury  of  the  Babylonians  would  grow  sixfold.  If 
the  yoke  is  hard  to  bear  now,  what  then  ? " 

44  Yet  will  Belshazzar  truly  break  his  promise  ?  " 
demanded  Isaiah,  plucking  at  the  last  straw  of  hope. 

44  Promise  ?  "  Daniel  laughed  grimly.  44  He  will 
break  ten  thousand  oaths,  when  they  stand  betwixt 
him  and  a  passion.  Avil-Marduk  urges  him  each 
day  to  ruin  me  and  mine,  as  a  lesson  to  the  rest  of 
our  people.  The  Jews  are  to  be  driven  like  sheep 
to  the  ziggurat,  and  forced  to  blaspheme  Jehovah. 
Alas  !  When  I  think  of  the  plight  of  our  nation, 
the  dangers  of  a  few  of  us  seem  but  as  the  first 
whisperings  of  a  mighty  storm !  If  no  succour 
comes,  Ruth  and  you  and  I  are  utterly  undone; 
and  our  people  will  forget  its  God,  as  He  in  His 
just  wrath  seems  to  have  forgotten  them." 

44 And  is  there  no  hope?"  groaned  Isaiah  in  his 
despair. 

Before  Daniel  could  answer,  a  sweet  girlish  voice 


46  BELSHAZZAR 

sounded,  singing  from  the  upper  casement,  over  the 
court.     The  two  men  stood  in  silence. 

"  My  beloved  spake  and  said  unto  me, 
*  Rise  up,  my  love,  my  fair  one,  and  come  away. 
For  lo,  the  winter  is  past,  the  rain  is  over  and  gone  : 
The  flowers  appear  on  the  earth ; 
The  time  of  the  singing  of  birds  is  come, 
And  the  voice  of  the  turtle  is  heard  in  our  land  ! '  " 

"  It  is  the  song  of  Ruth,"  said  Daniel,  as  in  dreamy 
melancholy.  "  She  has  waited  you  for  long.  Blessed 
is  she  ;  to  her  Jehovah  thus  far  is  kind.  She  does 
not  know  her  danger.  The  4  Song  of  Songs '  is  ever 
in  her  mouth,  in  these  days  of  her  love.  You  must 
go  to  her." 

"  Let  all  Belshazzar's  sword-hands  take  her  from 
me  !  "  was  Isaiah's  rash  boast.  But  then  he  asked 
more  calmly:  "And  why  do  you,  my  father,  go  to 
Borsippa  ?  You  have  not  told." 

"  To  ask  Imbi-Ilu  if  he  will  give  sanctuary  in  the 
temple  of  Nabu  to  Ruth,  if  worst  comes  to  worst. 
Bitter  expedient !  —  a  daughter  of  Judah  sheltered  in 
the  house  of  idols  !  Such  is  the  only  shift." 

"But  Imbi  could  not  guard  her  always,  if  the 
king's  mind  is  fixed.  And  what  of  our  nation,  of 
the  peril  of  great  apostasy?  Ah  !  "  Isaiah  lifted  his 
hand  toward  heaven.  "I  am  not  wrong.  I  must 
kill  Belshazzar;  then  if  we  die,  we  die  not  un 
avenged  I  " 

Daniel  quieted  him  with  a  touch. 

"  Do  not  anger  God  with  unholy  rashness.     All  is 


THE   YOKE   OF   THE   CHALDEES  47 

not  yet  lost.  I  have  still  my  position  as  'civil- 
minister,'  and  though  the  Babylonians  may  rage 
against  our  people,  they  reverence  me  still.  My 
word  and  name  are  yet  a  power  in  Babylon.  Even 
the  king  will  hesitate  to  strike  me  too  openly.  And 
if  the  worst  does  come,  let  them  know  I  have  yet  a 
weapon  that  may  shake  Belshazzar  on  his  throne." 

"  What  mean  you?    For  Jehovah's  sake,  declare  !  " 

Daniel  smiled  sadly  at  the  impetuosity  of  the 
younger  man. 

"No,  not  now.  Fifty  years  long  have  I  served 
the  kings  of  the  Chaldees,  and  betrayed  none  of 
their  secrets.  I  keep  fealty  as  long  as  I  may ;  yet 
the  time  for  casting  it  off  may  be  near  at  hand.  The 
Lord  grant  I  may  not  be  driven  thus  to  bay  —  " 

"The  chariot  waits,  my  lord,"  interrupted  a  ser 
vant.  And  Daniel  gathered  his  robe  about  him,  to 
depart. 

"  Remain  with  Ruth  until  I  return,"  was  his  last 
injunction  ;  "  the  king  will  hardly  wax  so  bold  as 
to  go  to  extremities  to-day.  But  till  Belshazzar  lies 
dead,  or  Jehovah  creates  in  him  a  new  heart,  we 
must  not  cease  to  guard  her." 


RUTH 


CHAPTER  IV 

fTlHE  chariot  of  the  "civil-minister"  clattered 
JL  away,  and  Isaiah  stood  for  a  long  time  in 
gloomy  revery.  Ever  since  Nabonidus  had  been 
thrust  from  power,  the  condition  of  the  Hebrews  had 
been  growing  steadily  more  miserable.  Belshazzar 
was  in  all  things  guided  by  Avil-Marduk,  and  the 
high  pontiff's  rage  against  the  Jehovah  worship  of 
the  exiles  was  nothing  new.  Shadrach,  Isaiah's 
father,  had  been  a  fellow-minister  with  Daniel,  but 
the  liberal  sway  of  Nebuchadnezzar  was  long  since 
past.  Isaiah  saw  himself  shut  out  of  every  office,  so 
long  as  he  clung  to  the  God  of  his  people.  Amongst 
his  fellow- Hebrews  Isaiah  had  passed  as  a  prophet ; 
in  moments  of  ecstasy  he  had  poured  forth  burn 
ing  words, — of  encouragement  to  the  faithful,  of 
threatenings  to  the  oppressor,  of  promised  restoration 
to  that  dear  Jerusalem  he  had  seen  only  in  his 
dreams.  But  at  this  moment  the  dreams  seemed 
shadowy  indeed.  The  events  of  the  day  had 
darkened  him  utterly;  and,  crowding  upon  Avil's 
scarce  veiled  threat,  came  the  tidings  of  the  king's 
unholy  lusting  after  Ruth  !  The  young  man's  heart 

48 


RUTH  49 

was  sickened.  How  could  he  sit  with  smiling  face, 
and  listen  to  his  love,  and  her  merry  nothings  ?  The 
task  was  seemingly  impossible,  when  the  sweet  voice 
sounded  again  from  the  casement.  "  Ah !  my  wander 
ing  swallow,  why  linger  ?  Up  quickly !  Say  some 
thing  to  make  me  glad.  I  am  exceeding  vexed  with 
my  father." 

Merry  or  sad,  the  young  man  waited  no  second 
bidding.  He  sped  up  the  narrow  stairway  by  the 
side  of  the  court,  and  reached  the  upper  veranda. 
Here  a  sort  of  balcony,  overhanging  the  yard,  had 
been  walled  with  curtains  of  blue  Egyptian  stuffs, 
and  behind  had  been  set  a  tall  loom,  its  frame  half 
filled  with  a  web  of  bright  wools,  where  a  brilliant 
rug  was  unfolding  under  skilful  fingers.  Two  dark- 
eyed  Arabian  girls  were  aiding  their  mistress ;  but 
at  sight  of  Isaiah,  the  red  thread  shook  from  her  lap, 
and  she  flew  twittering  into  his  arms.  Then  like 
two  birds  they  cooed  together,  their  eyes  talking 
faster  than  their  lips  ;  and  at  last  —  for  all  things 
lovely  must  find  end  —  Isaiah  was  in  his  accustomed 
seat,  a  cushioned  foot-stool  beside  the  loom,  and  there 
he  could  sit  and  chatter  while  the  broad  web  grew. 

But  Ruth  was  in  no  mood  for  small  talk.  Her 
little  lips  were  wrinkled  in  a  pout,  the  cast  of  her 
eye  was  sulky.  And  while  she  wrought  over  the 
loom,  her  fountain  of  wrath  was  emptied. 

"Were  I  not  an  obedient  daughter  of  Israel,  I 
should  say  unholy  things  of  my  good  father.  Surely 
Jehovah  forsakes  us  and  suffers  him  to  wax  mad  !  " 


50  BELSHAZZAK 

"  Daniel  mad  ?  He  has  the  sagest  head  in  all 
Babylon.  Fie,  little  owlet !  " 

"  Either  he  is  mad  or  worse.  There  !  "  the  red- 
thonged  sandals  over  the  small  feet  stamped 
angrily,  "  I  will  tell  all,  though  it  be  a  sin  to 
revile  a  parent." 

"Verily,  for  you  to  be  wroth  with  your  father 
must  spring  from  no  slight  cause  !  "  protested  Isaiah, 
feebly  attempting  to  smile. 

"Is  it  not  sufficient  that  I  must  be  kept  precious 
as  a  finch  in  his  cage  ?  —  never  suffered  to  go  forth 
to  any  of  the  fetes  at  the  palace,  veiled  always, 
when  I  sally  abroad,  and  guarded  as  if  I  were  a 
prisoner  about  to  make  escape  ?  " 

"  Old  tales,  Ruth,"  —  Isaiah  strove  to  speak 
lightly  ;  then  more  gravely,  "  Was  the  last  time 
we  sallied  forth,  and  met  the  lion  and  the  king, 
so  joyous  that  you  wish  it  repeated  daily  ?  " 

He  saw  her  shudder,  and  her  mouth  twitched,  as 
he  recalled  that  scene  ;  but  she  was  too  thoroughly 
filled  with  wrath  even  to  let  that  memory  turn  her. 

"  Not  so  —  let  my  father  send  fifty  servants  about 
me,  and  wrap  my  face  in  twoscore  veils  !  But  now 
I  am  made  utter  prisoner.  Yesterday  I  visited  the 
bazaars  with  Gedeliah,  our  body-servant ;  and  in  the 
jeweller's  shop  of  Binzurbasna  by  the  Gate  of  Istar  I 
saw  an  armlet  that  fitted  my  eye  as  water  its  cup.  I 
had  no  money,  but  last  night  my  father  gave  me  more 
than  the  price.  To-day  Gedeliah  starts  at  dawn  with 
a  letter  to  Kisch.  Later  I  say,  '  Father,  I  will  take 


KUTH  51 

another  servant  and  go  and  buy  the  armlet.'  He 
makes  all  manner  of  objections  to  my  going.  '  Let 
the  serving-man  go ;  do  you  remain.'  4  No,'  answered 
I,  4  only  Gedeliah  and  I  can  tell  which  is  the  armlet ; 
if  I  wait,  it  is  sold.'  I  beseech  exceedingly,  where 
upon  he  says,  after  his  firm  manner  :  4  Peace,  Ruth  ; 
I  know  what  is  well  for  you.  You  shall  not  go  to 
day.'  Then  he  summons  his  chariot,  and  departs  to 
Borsippa.  Have  I  no  cause  for  anger  ?  " 

Isaiah  did  not  reply  immediately  ;  and  she  re 
turned  to  the  charge.  "  Speak,  —  are  you  so  jealous 
that  no  man  may  set  eyes  on  the  hem  of  my  mantle  ? 
Speak  ! "  And  she  snapped  her  bright  eyes  before 
his. 

"  Your  father  is  a  wise  man,"  began  Isaiah,  cau 
tiously  ;  "assuredly  he  had  reasons." 

"Which  clearly  you  agree  in?"  pressed  she, 
sharply. 

"  I  said  not  that ;  though,  were  he  to  tell,  no  doubt 
they  would  seem  sufficient." 

"He  has  not  told  them?  What  passed  then  so 
slyly,  when  you  stood  together  ?  " 

Isaiah  had  boasted  that  in  a  city  where  the  clever 
liar  was  deemed  the  sage,  he  had  been  wont  to  speak 
truly  ;  but  he  found  himself  close  to  equivocation. 

"  We  spoke  of  the  increasing  power  of  Avil.  Your 
father  grows  anxious." 

"  And  was  not  my  name  mentioned  once,  twice  ?  " 

Ruth  had  turned  from  the  loom,  and  was  looking 
Isaiah  in  the  face. 


52  BELSHAZZAB 

"  You  did  wrong  to  eavesdrop,"  he  faltered,  nigh 
desperately,  for  falsehood  tripped  hardest  off  his 
tongue  when  those  soft  eyes  were  on  him. 

"No  answer,"  she  challenged,  lowering  her  head 
till  her  curls  almost  brushed  his  cheek.  "  Speak  ! 
Why  did  you  use  my  name  ?  " 

"  You  must  have  confidence  in  us,"  began  Isaiah, 
putting  on  manly  austerity,  "to  believe  that  what 
ever  we  said  was  only  for  your  good." 

A  tart  retort  was  tingling  on  her  tongue,  when  a 
voice  from  the  court  interrupted.  "  Ho  !  Is  the 
young  master  Isaiah  above  ?  " 

It  was  the  old  porter's  call ;  the  other  responded 
instantly. 

"Since  my  Lord  Daniel  is  away,"  went  on  the 
porter,  "  will  my  young  master  come  down  at  once  ? 
His  friend,  the  guardsman  Zerubbabel,  is  here,  and 
demands  instant  speech  of  weighty  matters." 

Isaiah  was  down  the  stairs  by  leaps.  In  the  court 
he  met  a  young  man  of  about  his  own  age,  comely 
and  erect,  dressed  in  the  short  mantle  of  a  soldier 
off  duty. 

"  Where  is  my  Lord  Daniel  ? "  was  his  quick 
demand  ;  he  was  breathless  with  running. 

"  Has  none  told  ?     Gone  to  Borsippa." 

"  Jehovah  God  have  mercy  !  " 

Isaiah  caught  his  friend  by  the  arm. 

"  Hold,  Zerubbabel ;  gain  breath,  and  speak  to 
the  point.  Your  wits  are  all  scattered  on  the  road 
behind  1  " 


RUTH  63 

The  guardsman  took  a  deep  breath. 

''  Be  a  man,  Isaiah,"  he  admonished,  as  if  speaking 
sorely  against  his  will ;  "  I  have  a  heavy  piece  of 
news  for  you." 

"  Touching  Ruth  ?  " 

Zerubbabel  nodded.  "You  have  heard  that  the 
king  had  designs  on  her.  Did  you  know  Mermaza 
was  to  make  an  attempt  on  her  this  very  night  ?  " 

His  voice  had  risen,  despite  Isaiah's  warning 
"  Hush  !  "  They  heard  a  little  cry  on  the  balcony 
above  —  a  louder  scream.  Isaiah  clapped  his  hands 
to  his  face.  "  The  Lord  spare  her  now  I  —  she  has 
heard  it !  " 

The  next  instant  Ruth  was  beside  them.  She  was 
trembling  ;  her  hand  quivered  in  her  lover's  while  he 
held  it,  yet  it  seemed  as  much  in  anger  as  in 
dread,  though  her  face  had  blanched  to  the  white 
ness  of  a  summer's  cloud. 

"  Tell  me  all  !  All !  Do  you  think  me  too  weak 
to  bear  ?  "  was  her  plea,  turning  her  great  eyes  from 
the  soldier  to  Isaiah  and  back  again.  "  What  danger 
waits  ?  " 

The  young  prophet's  voice  grew  very  calm. 

"  Beloved,  blessing  and  bane  come  from  the  Lord 
God  alike.  He  can  do  nothing  ill.  Let  us  listen  to 
Zerubbabel." 

The  guardsman's  speech  came  falteringly,  —  no  joy 
to  chase  the  gladness  from  those  bright  eyes. 

"Daughter  of  Daniel,  I  know  that  your  father 
reproaches  me  for  having  conformed  to  the  Babylon- 


54  BELSHAZZAR 

ish  worship,  and  taken  service  on  the  royal  guard ; 
but,  believe  me,  my  heart  is  still  faithful  to  Jehovah. 
At  no  small  peril  have  I  come  here,  to  warn  you. 
You,  O  Isaiah,  have  not  been  without  an  inkling  ; 
but  did  you  know  that  Belshazzar  has  given  his 
royal  signet  to  Mermaza,  chief  of  the  eunuchs,  com 
manding  him — " 

Before  he  could  utter  another  word,  a  bitter  cry 
had  burst  from  Ruth  :  "  Would  God  I  had  been  un 
born,  or  died  while  yet  a  speechless  child,  than  win 
the  love  of  Belshazzar.  For  the  love  of  the  king  is 
tenfold  more  cruel  than  his  hate.  Slay  me;  slay 
now,  rather  than  let  the  eunuchs  lay  hands  on  me!  " 
So  she  cried  in  her  sudden  agony  ;  and  what  might 
Isaiah  say  to  comfort  her?  She  could  only  feel  the 
muscles  of  his  arms  grow  hard  as  iron,  as  she  leaned 
against  his  breast. 

"Fear  not,"  he  answered,  with  that  confidence 
born  of  a  touch  and  a  thrill  that  can  make  the  weak 
ling  giant  strong;  "were  Belshazzar  seven  times  the 
king  he  is,  he  shall  never  do  you  harm." 

"  So  be  it !  "  quoth  Zerubbabel,  gravely,  "  yet  the 
proof  is  close  at  hand.  It  is  as  I  said.  Mermaza 
has  received  an  order,  signed  by  the  royal  signet, 
authorizing  him  to  take  Ruth,  the  daughter  of 
Daniel,  when  there  may  be  '  convenient  opportunity ' 
—  which  is  to  say,  when  no  disturbance  will  arise 
likely  to  hamper  Avil-Marduk  and  his  plots." 

"  How  know  you  this  ?  "  demanded  Isaiah,  almost 
fiercely. 


EUTH  55 

"  One  of  the  eunuchs,  whose  life  Daniel  had  once 
begged  of  Nabonidus,  told  me.  I  more  than  fear  that 
my  visit  to  this  house  has  been  observed,  and  will  be 
laid  up  against  me." 

"And  what  hinders  the  ' prof oundly-to-be-rever- 
enced '  chief  eunuch  from  coming  this  moment,  with 
his  Majesty's  ring  and  order,  and  carrying  away  the 
maid  perforce?  Does  not  Belshazzar  command  all 
the  sword-hands  in  Babylon  ?  "  pressed  Isaiah,  in 
cutting  irony. 

Zerubbabel  smiled  bitterly.  "  Even  a  king  must 
know  some  restraints.  He  has  passed  his  word  to 
Darius,  the  Persian  envoy,  that  the  maid  shall  not  be 
touched.  What  if  Darius  heard  of  the  kidnapping  ! 
Would  he  trust  Belshazzar's  professions  of  friendship 
longer  ?  And  Daniel  is  popular  with  the  city  folk. 
Enter  his  house  at  mid-day,  and  let  some  outcry  rise, 
—  behold  !  there  is  a  riot  in  the  streets." 

"  Therefore  the  attempt  will  be  made  this  evening, 
when  all  is  quiet  ?  " 

Zerubbabel  bowed  gloomily.     "You  have  said." 

Isaiah  shot  one  glance  at  the  shadow  cast  by  the 
tall  "  time-staff  "  set  in  the  centre  of  the  courtyard. 

"  It  lacks  three  hours  of  sundown.  There  is  yet 
time  !  "  he  cried. 

But  Ruth  had  suddenly  steadied  herself,  and  looked 
from  one  young  man  to  the  other.  Her  voice  was 
very  shrill. 

"  Who  am  I  to  make  you  rush  into  peril  for  my 
poor  sake  ?  If  you  hide  me  from  the  king,  his  fury 


56  BELSHAZZAE, 

will  turn  against  you,  and  against  my  father.  How 
can  you  save  me?  Go  to  Mermaza.  Tell  him  he 
may  take  me  when  he  wills.  I  can  endure  all  rather 
than  ruin  those  I  love." 

She  stood  before  her  lover  with  head  erect,  eyes 
flashing.  The  glory  of  a  great  sacrifice  had  sent  the 
colour  crimsoning  through  her  cheeks.  If  beautiful 
before,  how  much  more  beautiful  now,  in  the  sight  of 
her  betrothed  !  Had  she  counted  the  cost  of  her 
word  ?  No,  doubtless  ;  but  for  the  moment  she  was 
the  girl  no  more,  but  the  strong  woman  ready  to  dare 
and  to  do  all. 

But  Isaiah  answered  her  with  a  sternness  never 
shown  by  him  to  her  till  now  :  "  Peace !  You  know 
not  what  you  say.  What  profit  is  my  life,  with  you 
sent  to  a  living  death  in  Belshazzar's  impure  clutch  ? 
There  is  but  one  thing  left." 

"  Away !  Leave  me !  "  she  implored,  new  agony 
chasing  across  her  face.  "  Is  it  not  enough  that  I 
should  be  victim?  Those  who  cross  Belshazzar's 
path  are  seekers  for  death." 

44  Peace  ! "  repeated  Isaiah,  and  not  ungently  he 
thrust  his  hand  across  her  mouth.  "  Must  the  whole 
house  hear  us?  You,  Zerubbabel,  indeed,  begone. 
You  can  only  add  to  your  peril,  not  aid." 

The  guardsman  hesitated.  "  If  I  can  do  aught  —  " 
he  began. 

"  Avoid  suspicion,"  commanded  Isaiah  ;  "  if  you 
learn  of  anything  new  plotted,  forewarn.  In  so  do 
ing  you  prove  truest  friend." 


RUTH  67 

"The  Lord  God  keep  you,  dear  lady,"  protested 
the  guardsman,  kissing  her  robe  ;  "  believe  me,  I  am 
your  and  your  father's  friend,  though  men  say  I 
bow  down  to  Bel-Marduk." 

He  had  vanished;  and  Isaiah  looked  upon  Ruth, 
and  Ruth  back  to  Isaiah.  The  peril  had  broken 
upon  her  so  suddenly  that  she  was  yet  numbed.  She 
had  not  realized  all  she  had  to  fear,  and  the  ordeal 
awaiting.  But  if  her  lover  realized,  he  proved  his 
anguish  by  act,  not  word. 

"  Ruth,"  spoke  he,  "  your  father  knew  the  king 
had  not  forgotten  you,  though  that  the  deed  was 
planned  so  soon  was  hid.  He  has  ridden  to  Borsippa 
to  see  if  Imbi-Ilu  will  shelter  you  at  the  temple  of 
Nabu.  If  we  await  his  return,  it  will  be  too  late. 
The  shadows  are  falling  already.  You  must  quit 
this  house  without  delay." 

"  I  am  ready,"  she  answered,  but  she  spoke  me 
chanically,  not  knowing  what  she  said. 

Old  Simeon,  the  porter,  had  approached,  his  honest 
face  all  anxiety  for  his  betters.  "  My  mistress  is  in 
trouble  ?  Zerubbabel  brought  ill  news  ?  "  he  ven 
tured,  not  presuming  more.  But  Isaiah  ordered 
sharply  :  — 

"Let  the  closed  carriage  be  made  ready  at  once." 

"The  closed  carriage?  For  the  mistress?  My 
Lord  Daniel  commanded  —  "  hesitated  the  worthy  ; 
but  Isaiah's  tone  grew  peremptory.  "  Daniel's  com 
mands  weigh  nothing  now.  Were  he  here,  he  would 
order  the  same.  No  questions ;  hasten." 


58  BELSHAZZAR 

The  stern  ring  in  the  young  man's  voice  ended  all 
parley.  Simeon  shuffled  away  to  rouse  the  stable 
grooms,  and  Isaiah  turned  once  more  to  Ruth. 

"  Beloved,  we  must  drive  to  Borsippa  at  once. 
Take  what  clothes  you  need,  nothing  else.  No  tarry 
ing.  Each  instant  is  worth  a  talent." 

"And  this  house?  The  room  of  my  mother? 
The  thousand  things  of  my  glad  life  —  all  left  be 
hind  ?  " 

The  tears  would  come  again.  Ruth  was  weeping 
now — bitterly,  but  not  from  dread  of  Belshazzar. 
Events  had  raced  too  fast  these  last  few  moments  to 
leave  room  for  the  greatest  griefs  or  fears. 

"  Trust  that  Jehovah  will  send  you  back  to  them, 
in  the  fulness  of  His  mercy.  He  is  more  pitiful 
than  even  Daniel  your  father." 

She  did  as  bidden  ;  in  the  turmoil  of  emotions,  at 
least  some  sorrows  were  spared  her.  The  maid 
servants  stared  at  their  mistress,  as  she  flew  about 
her  well-loved  chambers.  The  little  bundle  was  soon 
ready,  —  so  little  !  And  so  many  girlish  delights  and 
trinkets  all  left  behind.  Isaiah's  voice  was  summon 
ing  her.  The  carriage  was  waiting  in  the  yard. 
Daniel  had  not  taken  his  swift  pair  of  black 
Arabs  in  the  chariot,  and  for  these  Isaiah  thanked 
his  God! 

Ruth  darted  one  glance  about  the  court  —  the  well- 
known  balcony,  the  drapery  hiding  the  loom,  the 
swallows  flitting  in  and  out  of  the  eaves,  a  thousand 
dear  and  homely  things,  so  familiar  she  had  forgot- 


EUTH  59 

ten  how  much  she  loved  them  —  one  last  sight;  when 
could  she  see  them  again  ? 

"The  servants, — my  friends,  —  I  must  say  fare 
well,"  she  pleaded ;  but  Isaiah  shook  his  head. 

"  You  must  leave  with  as  little  commotion  as  pos 
sible.  The  Most  High  grant  we  have  not  tarried  too 
long  !  "  He  lifted  her  almost  perforce,  and  thrust 
her  upon  the  soft  cushions  inside  the  carriage.  She 
heard  him  tying  the  door  to  the  wicker  body,  to 
secure  against  sudden  and  unfriendly  opening.  The 
only  light  that  came  to  her  was  from  the  little  lat 
ticed  window  in  the  roof,  through  which  she  could 
see  only  sky.  She  heard  Isaiah  leap  upon  the  driver's 
platform,  in  front,  beside  Abner,  one  of  the  stoutest 
and  trustiest  of  her  father's  serving-men.  The 
courtyard  gate  creaked  open.  The  carriage  rum 
bled  forth.  "Abner,"  sounded  Isaiah's  voice,  "if 
ever  you  drove  with  speed,  drive  now.  To  Bor- 
sippa,  to  the  temple  of  Nabu !  " 

The  lash  cracked  ;  the  restless  horses  shot  away 
eagerly,  the  heavy  carriage  lumbering  behind.  Soon 
all  around  them  buzzed  the  traffic  of  the  streets. 
Onward,  onward  they  drove,  till  Ruth  ceased  count 
ing  the  time.  Then  at  last  the  truth  and  her 
wretchedness  fully  dawned  on  her.  She  felt  a  weak 
ness,  a  misery  words  may  not  express.  She  laid  her 
head  on  the  cushions  and  wept,  as  might  a  little  girl. 


THE  TEMPLE  OF  NABU 


CHAPTER  V 

IF  Bel-Marduk,  "father  of  the  gods,"  reigned 
supreme  in  his  temple  opposite  the  royal  palace, 
he  was  not  without  rival.  Older  than  the  "  Lofty 
House  "  of  Bel  rose  the  venerable  ziggurat  "  E-Zida" 
the  "  Eternal  House  "  of  Nabu  of  Borsippa,  "  god  of 
wisdom."  Time  was  when  Nabu  had  been  the  guar 
dian  god  of  all  Babylonia,  and  his  priests  still  re 
fused  to  yield  to  the  supplanting  Bel  more  than  a 
nominal  concession  of  supremacy.  Unlike  the 
great  city  sanctuary,  this  temple  in  the  quiet  south 
ern  suburb  sprang  out  of  a  great  grove  of  nodding 
shade  trees,  girded  about  with  pleasant  gardens. 
A  sluggish  canal  crept  under  the  shadow  of  the 
terraces  of  the  sacred  tower,  and  mirrored  the  ram 
bling  brick  buildings  and  leaf-hung  walks  of  the 
temple  college.  For  here  at  Borsippa  was  the  most 
famous,  as  well  as  the  oldest,  university  in  all  the 
fair  land  of  the  Chaldees.  From  time  immemo 
rial  students  had  listened  here  to  lectures  on 
astrology,  the  science  of  omens,  and  the  interpreta 
tion  of  dreams.  Vainly  had  Avil-Marduk  striven 
to  raise  his  own  temple-school  to  an  equality  with 


THE  TEMPLE   OF  NABU  61 

that  of  Borsippa.  Were  not  these  paths  beside  the 
canal  hallowed  by  three  thousand  years  of  academic 
tradition  ?  Had  not  every  famous  demon-caster,  for 
more  generations  than  could  be  told,  learned  his  art 
under  the  shadow  of  this  ziggurat  ?  Then  again,  while 
Bel  was  fanatical,  Nabu  was  tolerant.  Avil  moved 
heaven  and  earth  to  ruin  the  Hebrews,  while  Imbi- 
Ilu,  pontiff  of  Borsippa,  was  Daniel's  bosom  friend, 
and  his  under  priests  openly  declared  that  they 
hated  Bel-Marduk  quite  as  much  as  they  did  Je 
hovah.  Of  late  the  coldness  between  the  two  pon 
tiffs  had  almost  turned  to  open  hostility  ;  the  king 
and  court  paid  homage  to  Marduk,  the  city  at 
large  sent  most  of  their  gifts  to  Nabu.  And  within 
recent  days  Imbi-Ilu  had  more  than  once  given 
offence  even  to  the  king  by  harbouring  inside  the  tem 
ple  precinct  persons  whose  arrest  had  been  urgently 
commanded ;  Belshazzar  had  fumed,  and  muttered 
threats,  but  Imbi  was  obdurate.  There  was  the 
law,  —  graven  on  two  stone  tablets,  by  King  Sargon 
I.,  a  potentate  three  thousand  years  departed, — 
denouncing  curses  upon  the  body,  goods,  kinsfolk, 
and  soul  of  the  man  or  king  who  should  dare  to  mo 
lest  a  suppliant  that  had  once  passed  the  boundary 
stones,  which  were  set  one  furlong  on  every  side  of 
the  enclosure  of  Nabu.  The  king  had  raged,  but 
was  helpless  ;  not  even  the  "  son  of  Bel-Marduk,"  as 
he  boasted  himself,  could  abolish  a  privilege  like 
that. 

But  on  the   afternoon   in   question,  none   would 


62  BELSHAZZAR 

have  dreamed  that  aught  save  studious  repose 
brooded  over  quiet  Borsippa.  The  lectures  were 
ended.  The  boys  in  the  lower  school  had  flung 
away  the  tablets  on  which  they  had  been  copying 
the  old  dead  language  of  the  Akkadian  classics.1 
Teachers  and  pupils  had  wandered  forth  to  enjoy 
the  cool  of  the  evening.  From  the  crest  of  the 
great  temple-tower  drifted  the  chant  of  the  litany  to 
Nabu  :  — 

"  Lord  of  Borsippa, 

Thy  command  is  unchangeable  like  the  firmanent. 
In  the  high  heavens  thy  commandment  is  supreme ! " 

So  the  chant  had  risen  for  four  thousand  years,  each 
evening  ;  so  it  would  be  repeated,  unless  all  omens 
were  profitless,  for  as  many  more.  Dynasties 
might  come  and  go,  —  the  worship  of  Nabu  endured 
forever  ! 

Upon  the  housetop  of  one  of  the  larger  buildings, 
close  by  the  gate  of  the  wall  enclosing  the  sacred 
precinct,  two  men  in  deep  discussion  were  seated. 
The  roof-tiles  were  covered  with  soft  carpet,  a 
yellow  canopy  stretched  overhead,  there  were  cush 
ioned  stools  and  divans  —  a  cool  and  pleasant  spot  to 
lounge  and  rest. 

But  the  two  were  not  lounging  ;  their  talk  had 
lasted  long.  The  one,  Daniel,  had  drawn  his  stool 
close  beside  the  couch  of  the  other,  and  was  speak 
ing  earnestly. 

1  Such  copy-books  have  been  actually  preserved  to  us. 


THE  TEMPLE  OF  NABU  63 

"  We  have  debated  before,  we  debate  again,  —  to 
little  profit.  You  have  been  a  true  friend,  Imbi-Ilu  ; 
the  difference  in  our  faith  has  never  stood  betwixt 
us.  You  have  done  what  you  could  to  abate  the 
persecution  of  my  unfortunate  people,  —  in  vain, 
but  I  thank  you." 

The  high  priest  looked  concernedly  upon  his 
friend.  He  was  an  eagle- visaged,  majestic  man,  who 
bore  his  years  lightly,  and  whose  white  locks  sprang 
out  all  around  his  forehead,  like  the  mane  of  a  lion. 

"It  is  as  you  say,"  he  answered  soberly,  "yet  I 
deserve  no  praise.  Avil-Marduk  urges  on  Bel- 
shazzar  against  the  servants  of  Jehovah,  as  being 
the  weakest  of  the  gods  opposed  to  the  supremacy 
of  Marduk.  Soon  he  will  try  to  crush  Nabu  him 
self.  I  have  acted  in  self-protection.  But  this  is 
old  chaff;  all  the  wheat  was  long  since  winnowed 
out  of  it." 

"  Well  do  I  know  that,"  replied  the  Hebrew, 
bitterly  ;  "  we  are  being  pushed  to  bay,  you  Babylon 
ians  as  well  as  I.  Avil-Marduk  has  made  the  king 
entirely  his  tool ;  almost  I  think  he  seeks  the  throne 
himself,  nought  less." 

Imbi  nodded  gloomily.  "  I  believe  you  ;  "  then, 
a  shade  more  lightly,  "  but  you,  O  Daniel,  are  under 
some  greater  constraint  than  distant  anxiety  for 
your  people.  By  your  own  god,  whom  I  much 
reverence,  tell  me  truly,  what  brings  you  now  to 
Borsippa?  Since  you  saved  my  life,  with  those  of 
the  other  wise  men,  because  we  could  not  reveal  to 


64  BELSHAZZAR 

Nebuchadnezzar  his  dream,  have  we  not  been  sworn 
comrades,  in  good  and  in  ill  ?  Speak  freely.  Your 
wish  ?  " 

"  Your  friendship  may  be  indeed  tested,"  quoth 
the  other,  still  soberly  ;  "  the  king  is  none  too  much 
your  friend  to-day.  If  you  grant  my  wish,  he  will 
neglect  no  occasion  against  you." 

"  By  Nabu  !  "  cried  the  pontiff,  affecting  careless 
ness  he  did  not  feel,  "you  interest  me.  Tell  it  out. 
But  not  yet."  He  snapped  his  fingers  loudly  ;  a 
white-robed  servitor  appeared.  "  This  way,  boy  ! 
Bring  my  Lord  Daniel  the  oldest  and  coolest  of  the 
wine  that  came  yesterday  from  Larsam,  and  a 
platter  of  honey  cakes.  He  has  driven  far,  and  is 
weary."  Then  to  Daniel,  "No  excuses.  No  sor 
row  is  doubled  by  a  cup  from  my  own  vineyard." 

"Another  time,"  remonstrated  the  minister.  "I 
have  not  come  hither  to  make  merry ;  I  must  be 
back  to  Babylon  with  all  haste." 

"  Not  sleep  in  Borsippa  ?  Your  little  goddess 
Ruth  will  not  weep  her  sight  away  in  your  absence  ?  " 

"  Ruth  !  "  Daniel  had  started  at  the  name  ; 
but,  as  if  there  were  an  omen  in  the  word,  there 
sounded  a  sudden  rumbling  and  jarring  in  the  brick- 
paved  road  outside  the  temple  precinct,  the  noise  of 
a  heavy  carriage  at  a  headlong  speed,  the  cracking 
of  a  whip,  shoutings  and  cursings,  all  rising  to 
gether.  When  before  had  a  like  din  roused  the 
peaceful  suburb  ?  Imbi  sprang  to  the  parapet  and 
stared  across  in  wonder. 


THE   TEMPLE  OF  NABU  65 

44  God  of  Borsippa,"  he  swore,  "  have  we  a  chariot 
charge  !  " 

The  clamour  swept  nearer,  broken  now  by  a  yell 
of  keenest  pain,  followed  by  a  great  shout  from  the 
younger  priests  and  students  watching  from  below. 

"  Nabu  save  him  !  The  wheel  has  crossed  his 
body  ! " 

"  Eunuchs  !  The  king's  eunuchs  !  They  violate 
the  sanctuary  !  "  bawled  many  more,  with  a  scamper 
of  feet  through  the  gateway. 

"  In  Jehovah's  name,  what  is  this  !  "  cried  Daniel, 
leaping  up  beside  Imbi ;  but  the  pontiff  had  just  time 
to  clutch  at  his  friend,  as  he  tottered  almost  in  a 
swoon.  The  noise  below  grew  sevenfold. 

"  Down  !     He  has  smiten  Mermaza  !  " 

Imbi  was  again  at  his  post.  A  closed  carriage 
had  lumbered  in  at  the  gateway,  the  horses  panting 
and  steaming.  The  pontiff  started  in  turn,  when  he 
saw  a  young  man  leaping  from  the  driver's  platform, 
still  clutching  tightly  his  long  whip. 

"  Isaiah  the  son  of  Shadrach,  and  lifting  Ruth  the 
Jewess  from  the  carriage  !  Why  this  tumult  ? 
Some  fearful  deed  !  " 

The  minister  had  recovered  and  stood  at  the  pon 
tiff's  side.  He  was  again  self-possessed.  "  Let  me 
know  with  what  the  Lord  God  has  visited  me," 
was  all  he  said,  and  waited  silently,  as  a  breathless 
young  priest  rushed  up  to  his  superior,  never  so 
much  as  salaaming. 

"  Master !  a  frightful  outrage.     The  royal  eunuchs 


66  BELSHAZZAR 

have  pursued  these  fugitives  past  the  boundary 
stones  to  our  very  gates.  They  attempted  violence, 
and  now  clamour  without,  demanding  their  prey  ! " 

Imbi  turned  very  deliberately,  took  his  white 
peaked  tiara  from  the  divan,  and  set  it  on  his  head. 

"  Gross  sacrilege,  indeed,  Merdovah  ;  impossible 
that  his  Majesty  should  authorize  such  violence  !  " 

More  priests  and  students  were  howling  in  the 
yard  below:  "Away  with  the  eunuchs!  To  the 
canal  with  them  !  Avenge  the  insult !  " 

"  Master,"  remonstrated  the  messenger,  "  except 
you  quiet  the  temple  folk,  expect  a  riot.  They  are 
maddened  and  furious." 

Imbi  leaped  upon  the  divan  beside  the  balcony. 
"  Below  there,  silence  !  What  is  this  tumult  ? " 
The  voice  of  the  superior  produced  instant  stillness. 

"You  there,  Hasba,  speak  for  all.  Why  is  this 
carriage  here,  and  these  eunuchs  ?  " 

The  priest  addressed,  a  gaunt,  athletic  man, 
stepped  forth  from  the  crowd  of  fellows,  clustered 
around  the  gate. 

"  Why  it  is  here,  I  know  not,  but  I  saw  this,  — 
the  carriage  approaching  at  topmost  speed  from 
Babylon,  and  many  of  the  royal  eunuchs  pursuing 
on  foot,  crying  loudly  and  calling  to  passers-by  to 
aid.  When  they  passed  the  boundary  stone,  the 
carriage  slackened,  as  being  in  safety;  and  we 
looked  to  see  the  eunuchs  halt.  Not  so,  —  they 
impiously  followed  after,  and  two  snatched  at  the 
heads  of  the  horses.  Isaiah  the  Jew  flogged  them 


THE   TEMPLE   OF  NABU  67 

with  his  whip.  The  wheel  passed  over  one;  nor  did 
my  Lord  Mermaza  escape  the  mire.  They  are  with 
out  the  gate  and  still  threatening. " 

"  They  may  well  threaten,"  spoke  Daniel,  hoarsely, 
at  the  pontiff's  side,  "for  the  king  seeks  Ruth  for 
his  harem.  I  came  to  Borsippa  to  ask  sanctuary  in 
her  behalf.  Be  your  god  Jehovah  or  Nabu,  fail  not 
now  !  " 

The  civil-minister  was  very  pale,  but  Imbi-Ilu 
flashed  back  proudly,  "  If  I  yield  to  Mermaza  and 
his  vermin,  let  the  '  Eternal  House '  find  other 
master."  Then  he  turned  again  to  those  below. 
"  This  is  no  common  sacrilege.  Who  is  this  crying 
so  shrilly,  '  Entrance  '  ?  " 

"The  master  of  the  eunuchs  himself.  Shall  we 
not  buffet  him  to  death  ?  " 

"  Not  so ;  admit  him,  but  none  other.  Bring  him 
here  upon  the  housetop,  with  Ruth  the  Jewess,  and 
Isaiah.  Let  them  answer  face  to  face  before  me." 

In  a  moment  a  bevy  of  priests  had  ushered  three 
persons  before  their  superior  :  Isaiah,  with  flushed 
face  and  eyes  that  still  darted  fire,  Ruth,  whose  cheeks 
were  scarce  less  white  than  her  dress,  and  the  "  very 
supreme  "  chief  eunuch.  The  last  was  sadly  lacking 
in  dignity,  for  his  purple-embroidered  robe  was  rent 
and  mud-splashed,  and  across  his  forehead  spread  the 
long  stripe  where  the  lash  had  marked  him.  As  Ruth 
and  he  confronted  one  another,  she  shrank  in  dread 
behind  her  betrothed;  but  the  scowls  and  muttered 
menaces  of  the  priests  about  made  even  the  venture- 


68  BELSHAZZAR 

some  eunuch  cautious.  There  was  an  awkward 
silence  before  Imbi  spoke. 

"Well,  my  Lord  Mermaza,  has  it  slipped  your 
mind  that  there  is  a  certain  law,  old  as  the  ziggurat, 
concerning  the  rights  of  sanctuary  of  the  precinct  of 
Nabu?" 

Mermaza's  perpetual  smile  had  become  a  very 
forced  grin  indeed;  he  looked  downward,  without 
replying. 

"  And  is  it  not  also  true,"  went  on  the  other, 
haughtily,  "  that  whosoever  transgresses  the  right  of 
the  god  incurs  the  wrath  of  all  the  host  of  heaven  ? 
He  is  '  devoted,'  given  to  Namtar  the  plague-demon, 
and  her  fiends  ;  his  life  forfeit,  his  soul  cast  into 
Sheol.  Is  it  not  thus,  my  lord  ?  " 

Mermaza  had  recovered  enough  wits  to  attempt  an 
answer. 

"  Right,  most  reverend  pontiff.  But  I  seek  no 
fugitive  criminal.  In  performance  of  my  duties  I 
pursue  one  of  his  Majesty's  runaway  slaves,  who 
can  claim  no  right  of  sanctuary." 

"  A  slave  of  the  king  ?  Where  ?  We  will  never 
shelter  such  ! "  And  Imbi  stared  about  in  well- 
affected  astonishment. 

Mermaza  fumbled  in  his  bosom,  and  produced  a 
small  clay  cylinder,  which  he  handed  to  Imbi,  be 
stowing  at  the  same  moment  a  gleeful  leer  upon 
Ruth. 

"  His  Majesty's  own  seal  —  read." 

The  pontiff  read  aloud  deliberately  :  — 


THE   TEMPLE   OF  NABU  69 

"Belshazzar,  (  King  of  Sumer  and  AkkadJ  to  Mermaza, 
<  Master  of  the  Eunuchs ' :  You  are  commanded  at  the  first  con 
venient  season  to  seize,  and  take  to  the  royal  harem,  a  certain 
maid,  one  Euth,  the  daughter  of  Daniel  the  Hebrew.  And 
hereof  do  not  fail,  on  peril  of  your  head." 

Imbi  examined  the  document  the  second  time,  and 
handed  it  back  to  the  eunuch  with  a  salaam  of  ironi 
cal  reverence. 

"Noble  friend,"  quoth  he,  with  mock  politeness, 
"  explain,  I  pray  you.  In  what  part  of  this  warrant 
does  his  Majesty  command  you  to  set  at  naught  the 
right  of  sanctuary,  and  commit  gross  sacrilege  ?  " 

But  Mermaza,  beneath  whose  veneer  of  urbanity 
lay  a  hasty  and  arrogant  temper,  answered  with  rising 
gorge  :  — 

"  This  is  no  answer,  priest ;  obey  the  king  !  Do 
you  refuse  to  surrender  the  wench  ?  Think  well 
before  you  reply  —  the  king's  wrath  —  " 

"  Daniel,"  remarked  Imbi,  turning  his  back  on  the 
eunuch,  "  is  it  your  desire  that  your  daughter  go  to 
the  palace  ?  " 

"  By  all  you  revere,  by  our  bonds  of  friendship, 
no  !  "  The  Jew  started  to  fall  on  his  knees,  implor 
ing.  But  Imbi  faced  Mermaza,  with  a  lordly  gesture. 

"  Go  back  to  the  palace,  and  say  that  I  will  send 
Ruth  the  daughter  of  Daniel  hence,  only  on  her  fa 
ther's  personal  or  written  command.  Low  indeed  is 
Nabu  sunken  if  at  barking  of  hounds  of  your  litter 
he  were  to  turn  suppliants  away  !  " 

"  The  slave  of  the  king  —  keep  her  at  your  peril !  " 


70  BELSHAZZAR 

threatened  Mermaza,  growing  desperate,  for  his  posi 
tion  was  anything  but  enviable. 

"  A  slave  ?  When  before  in  the  royal  harem  ? 
Where  is  the  bill  of  sale  from  her  father  ?  Is  she 
not  freeborn  ?  " 

"  She  is  a  Jewess,  —  despiser  of  Nabu  !  "  cried  the 
eunuch,  launching  his  last  shaft.  A  yell  of  derision 
from  all  the  priests  answered  him. 

"  Friend,"  answered  Imbi,  smoothly,  "  you  are  so 
dear  a  companion  to  Avil-Marduk  and  he  reverences 
Nabu  so  exceedingly,  that  these  words  drop  indeed 
fitly  from  your  lips." 

Mermaza  swung  about  and  faced  Daniel  and 
Isaiah. 

"  I  see  the  pontiff  is  mad,"  he  shouted,  his  thick 
cheeks  reddening.  "  Do  you  Jews  hear  reason.  For 
this  resistance  to  the  royal  decree  you  shall  both 
rot  in  the  palace  dungeons  unless  the  girl  is  yielded, 
and  that  instantly." 

Ruth  had  started  forward,  outstretching  her  hands. 

"  Not  that,  not  that,  O  my  father  !  Say  you  are 
willing.  I  will  go." 

But  Imbi-Ilu  sprang  between  the  eunuch  and  the 
Hebrews. 

"And  I,  high  priest  of  Nabu  of  the  'Eternal 
House,'  declare  that  only  as  you  take  oath  with  all 
the  gods  to  witness,  that  Daniel  and  Isaiah  shall  be 
in  nowise  molested  in  this  matter,  will  I  consent  to 
withhold  a  criminal  charge  against  you  of  extreme 
impiety  and  deliberate  sacrilege.  The  crime  is  no- 


THE   TEMPLE   OF  NABU  71 

torious  —  twenty  witnesses.  Let  Belshazzar  himself 
save  you,  if  I  sow  this  tale  of  the  outrage  done  the 
god,  through  Babylon." 

There  was  a  stern  menace  in  the  pontiff's  voice 
that  sent  all  Mermaza's  bravado  trickling  out 
through  his  finger-tips.  The  unfriendly  ring  of 
faces  about  added  nothing  to  his  courage.  Twice 
he  faltered,  while  speech  choked  in  his  throat.  His 
face  was  swollen  with  mortification  at  his  blun 
der.  "  Will  you  swear,  toad  ? "  croaked  Hasba, 
at  his  side ;  and  Mermaza  gasped  out  thickly,  "  I 
will  swear." 

"  Good,  then,"  was  Imbi's  dry  comment ;  "  but  let 
us  go  down  to  the  '  holy  room  'of  the  temple. 
There  you  shall  lay  your  hands  on  the  ark  of  the 
god,  and  take  your  oath.  I  spare  no  precaution,  in 
taking  a  pledge  of  such  as  you." 

The  priests  swept  their  victim  down  the  stairs. 
The  three  Hebrews  were  left  alone  on  the  house 
top,  looking  one  upon  another  —  at  first  in  silence; 
then  a  great  and  grievous  cry  arose  from  Daniel :  — 

"  Ah  I  Lord  God  of  my  fathers  —  must  I,  who 
have  served  Thee  so  long,  see  my  one  child  brought 
to  this ! " 

He  opened  his  arms  wide;  and  Ruth  fled  into 
them,  there  to  be  locked  fast.  It  was  a  moment 
when  Isaiah  knew  he  might  do  and  say  nothing. 
He  stared  vacantly  across  the  parapet,  counting 
the  herd  of  dun-brown  sheep  a  countryman  was  driv 
ing  past  the  temple  gate.  The  sheep  would  be  butch- 


72  BELSHAZZAK 

ered  to-morrow,  but  they  shambled  on  with  never 
a  thought  save  for  the  little  patches  of  grass  that 
thrust  through  the  chinks  in  the  pavement.  The 
sheep  were  happy,  but  he,  Isaiah,  the  young  man, 
whose  heart  was  thrilled  with  high  and  holy  things, 
with  visions  of  the  Great  King  and  of  His  awful 
throne,  —  he  was  beyond  words  miserable !  Darker, 
darker  grew  his  thoughts;  but  the  voice  of  Daniel 
recalled  him. 

"  Isaiah,  my  weakness  is  passed.  The  Lord  who 
saved  your  father  and  Meshach  and  Abed-nego  from 
the  flame  of  Nebuchadnezzar's  furnace,  —  He  is  our 
refuge  still.  We  must  trust  and  bear.  And  not 
bear  only.  There  is  a  deed  for  you  to  do  this  night. 
You  have  risked  much  to-day :  will  you  face  peril 
yet  again?" 

"You  know  I  will  walk  through  death  at  your 
least  bidding,  O  my  father!" 

Daniel  put  Ruth  gently  away,  and  taking  Isaiah 
by  the  arm,  led  him  beyond  her  hearing. 

"  I  told  you  before,  I  had  one  last  weapon  against 
Belshazzar ;  but  scruples  of  loyalty  restrained  me. 
After  this"  with  a  weary  smile,  "all  fealty  truly 
ends.  Hearken  now  to  each  word.  You  must  be 
all  resources  to-night.  You  know  the  king  gives 
a  betrothal  feast  in  the  Hanging  Gardens,  in  honour 
of  the  Persian  princess.  All  the  ministers  and  cap 
tains  are  invited  saving  myself  —  sure  sign  of  the 
royal  disfavour.  You  must  contrive  to  enter  the 
Gardens  after  the  drinking  has  made  the  guards  neg- 


THE  TEMPLE   OF   NABU  73 

ligent,  when  you  can  shun  discovery.  After  the  wine 
has  set  the  feast  in  confusion,  seek  out  Darius  the 
Persian  envoy.  God  must  aid  you  to  have  words 
with  him  alone.  You  must  act  to-night ;  for  though 
Mermaza's  oath  may  delay  his  revenge  a  little,  none 
can  tell  when  the  stroke  may  fall,  and  we  be  helpless 
in  prison  or  as  fugitives.  Tell  Darius  that  I,  Daniel, 
who  know  all  the  king's  secrets,  though  they  think 
it  not,  say  that  the  treaty  he  makes  with  Belshazzar 
is  a  snare  for  the  feet  of  Cyrus.  The  hand  of  Atossa 
was  asked  to  lull  him  into  security.  Belshazzar 
negotiates  with  Amasis  the  Egyptian  for  a  league 
against  Persia,  and  Babylonish  agents  scatter  sedi 
tion  in  Media  and  Carmania.  Belshazzar  is  collect 
ing  troops  and  munitions.  His  bolt  will  fall  as 
lightning  from  a  smiling  sky." 

The  younger  Jew  was  startled  indeed.  "  Jehovah 
Omnipotent !  I  did  not  dream  this,  that  Belshaz- 
zar's  and  Avil's  perfidy  could  sink  so  deep  !  " 

Daniel  laughed  aloud  at  his  simplicity. 

"When  you  have  my  years,  O  Isaiah,  you  will 
have  sounded  the  depths  of  many  seas  of  guile,  and 
never  marvel.  You  are  young  and  trustful.  Alas, 
that  you  must  grow  wise !  But  go  now,  before 
Mermaza  returns  to  the  palace.  Our  persons  are 
safe  for  the  moment :  and  Ruth  can  find  shelter  so 
long  as  Imbi-Ilu  is  our  friend.  But  for  true  deliver 
ance,  Cyrus's  gratitude  and  the  Persians'  might,  — 
the  Persians  who  worship  the  one  God  like  ourselves, 
—  these  are  the  only  hopes." 


74  BELSHAZZAR 

Isaiah  drove  away  from  the  temple  that  evening 
in  a  strange  mingling  of  terror,  yet  of  hopefulness. 
The  warm  touch  of  Ruth  upon  his  cheek  was  still 
thrilling  him,  the  sweetness  of  her  kiss  was  on  his 
lips.  Was  all  lost  while  he  was  strong  and  free  ? 
And  with  the  fate  of  his  people  and  of  those  he 
loved  resting  upon  him,  where  was  the  moment  in 
which  to  dare  to  dream  of  failure?  Darius  had 
declared  himself  his  friend;  Darius,  he  felt,  he 
scarce  knew  why,  was  already  Belshazzar's  foe. 
Why  might  not  Jehovah  raise  up  this  prince  as  a 
second  Moses,  to  lead  His  people  out  of  their  new 
and  more  grievous  bondage? 


GLORY  OF  CHALDEES 


CHAPTER  VI 

nVTIGHTFALL  — the  light  of  a  thousand  flam- 
JL  i  beaux  shivered  over  the  great  winged  bulls 
guarding  the  palace  gateways.  The  bulls  formed 
the  base  of  towers  faced  with  brightly  enamelled 
brick,  and  crowned  with  masts  whence  trailed  the 
royal  banners.  In  and  out  streamed  the  palace 
servants  —  eunuchs  of  the  harem,  cooks,  grooms, 
chamberlains,  guardsmen  ;  sometimes  a  chariot  thun 
dered  through  at  a  gallop,  bearing  a  nobleman  to 
Belshazzar's  banquet.  As  one  peered  inward  from 
the  gate,  he  could  see  the  whole  broad  court  of  the 
king's  house  lit  bright  as  day  by  cressets  and  bon 
fires.  The  pictured  tiles  on  the  inner  walls  displayed 
their  lion-hunts,  battles,  processions,  and  sieges,  so 
that  he  who  regarded  them  closely  could  learn  all  the 
history  of  Babylon  for  a  hundred  years  by  a  mere 
circuit  of  the  court.  But  Khatin,  the  royal  execu 
tioner,  and  two  cronies,  who  sat  drinking  wine 
between  the  feet  of  a  winged  bull,  had  little  heed  to 
give  to  departed  glories.  Khatin  was  a  stout  muscu 
lar  giant,  with  thick,  black  hair  and  beard  shining 
with  strong  pomade  and  butter.  His  speech  was 

76 


76  BELSHAZZAR, 

gruff  as  the  bay  of  a  hound  ;  and  the  two  eunuchs, 
Nabua  and  Khanni,  who  divided  with  him  the  tank 
ard  of  Armenian  white  wine,  regarded  him  with  awe, 
as  being  the  person  who  might  be  the  last  to  con 
verse  with  them,  in  case  his  Majesty  found  them 
disagreeable. 

"  I  tell  you,"  declared  the  headsman,  dipping  his 
cup  for  the  fifth  time,  "that  Persian  Darius  is  a 
pretty  fellow.  I  dearly  love  a  man  of  his  spirit.  You 
heard  the  story  ?  The  worthy  Igas  came  near  to 
scraping  my  close  acquaintance.  By  Marduk !  why 
was  the  envoy  so  tender-hearted  as  not  to  ask  for  his 
head  ?  " 

"  Surely,"  ventured  Nabua,  "  you  have  nothing 
against  the  captain.  He  only  flogged  a  dirty  Jew, 
and  a  second  Jew  interfered.  But  for  Darius,  this 
last,  Isaiah  they  call  him,  would  have  been  the  one 
to  speak  with  you." 

Khatin  gave  a  hoarse  laugh.  "  Jews  ?  They  are 
mice.  Small  glory  in  beheading  vermin.  Give  me 
men  of  spirit,  my  dear  eunuch,  men  of  parts,  like 
Igas-Ramman.  Ah  !  You  cannot  know  the  satis 
faction  of  feeling  the  sword  go  through  a  stout,  stiff 
neck." 

"  Ugh  !  "  grunted  the  others,  feeling  their  own 
heads  none  too  firm  on  their  shoulders  ;  and  Khanni 
began  soothingly,  "  Now,  by  Istar,  you  would  never 
do  the  last  offices  for  a  friend — for  us,  by  ex 
ample  ?  " 

The   executioner   burst   into   a   braying  chuckle. 


THE   GLOKY   OF   THE   CHALDEES          77 

"  Ah  !  my  swallows,  my  lambs,  the  more  I  love  a 
man,  the  more  I  love  to  be  by  at  the  end.  My 
father-in-law,  Sadu-Rabu,  dear  man,  must  needs  turn 
robber  ;  to  this  day  I  pride  myself  on  my  neatness. 
4  Beloved  Sadu,'  said  I,  '  be  content  ;  you  have  my 
best  art  for  a  smoother  journey  to  the  "  Mountain  of 
the  World"  than  the  late  vizier.'  " 

"  Ugh  !  "  grunted  the  two  again,  very  unhappy  ; 
and  to  turn  the  drift  Khanni  interposed,  "But  you 
began  by  praising  the  Persian  ?  " 

"  Yes,  a  man  of  fine  spirit  —  a  very  pretty  neck  — 
by  Samas,  an  exceeding  pretty  neck  !  I  wish  I  were 
in  Susa,  as  Cyrus's  executioner,  just  for  the  hope  of 
testing  it ;  there  is  small  chance  of  Belshazzar  need 
ing  me  to  attend  to  an  envoy." 

"  They  say,"  answered  Nabua,  "  Cyrus  has  little 
use  for  his  headsmen.  The  Persians  all  love  him; 
they  keep  the  laws,  and  there  are  no  executions  for 
days  together." 

"  Then,  by  Allat,  queen  of  Hades,"  cried  Khatin, 
in  disgust,  "  Cyrus  is  no  king  !  Hark  you  !  Some 
day  I  will  plot  treason  and  wear  the  royal  cap  myself. 
Then  how  many  ministers  will  I  have  ?  Just  one  — 
an  honest  headsman.  A  king  and  an  executioner  — 
the  one  to  begin,  the  other  to  finish  —  these  are  gov 
ernors  enough  for  the  wide  world." 

But  as  Khatin  was  running  on  with  more  wisdom, 
scarlet-robed  torch-bearers  began  pouring  through 
the  gate,  with  the  cry,  "  The  knee  !  the  knee  I  The 
king,  the  daughter  of  Cyrus,  and  the  Persian  envoy !  " 


78  BELSHAZZAR 

The  executioner  and  the  eunuchs  fell  on  their 
knees,  to  make  obeisance.  A  vast  host  of  guardsmen, 
priests,  and  pages  came  first ;  and  Khatin  asked 
Khanni,  "  They  go  to  the  Hanging  Gardens  ?  " 

"  Yes  ;  the  betrothal  feast  for  Atossa  will  be  held 
there.  But  they  are  late.  Something  has  delayed 
the  chief  eunuch,  and  all  has  waited  for  him." 

"  Yet  they  come  at  last.  See  his  Majesty  and 
the  Persians." 

The  royal  party  advanced,  hidden  by  a  moving 
hedge  of  steel-clad  guardsmen  and  the  shadows  of 
fifty  torches.  Belshazzar  was  in  his  state,  the 
jewelled  embroideries  on  his  robes  worth  the  plun 
der  of  six  cities.  At  his  side  in  the  chariot  stood 
Darius,  no  longer  in  native  dress,  but  in  the  splen 
did  Median  blue  caftan.  Men  whispered  that  the 
Persian  looked  none  too  merry,  though  he  seemed 
to  be  laughing  at  some  jest  from  the  king.  Di 
rectly  behind  the  car  came  a  litter  —  all  gold  relief 
work  and  ivory  —  borne  by  eight  of  the  Chaldee 
nobles,  wherein  rode  Atossa  and  Mermaza,  chief 
eunuch.  When  the  torchlight  flashed  on  her  fair 
hair  and  the  rose  and  white  of  her  face,  there  was  a 
loud  shout  of  admiration  from  great  and  small,  "  A 
goddess  !  Istar  come  to  earth  !  The  '  Great  Lady  ' 
is  amongst  us  !  " 

Whereupon  Atossa  leaned  from  the  litter,  crying 
in  her  sweet,  foreign  Chaldee,  "The  Most  High 
bless  you,  good  people,  for  your  praise  !  "  At 
which  there  were  more  cheerings.  But  Atossa  had 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  CHALDEES    79 

sunk  back  on  the  muslin  pillows,  and  closed  her 
eyes  to  the  torch-glare. 

They  passed  down  the  inclined  plane  leading  from 
the  palace  terrace  ;  all  about,  outside  of  the  red 
circle  of  the  flambeaux,  stretched  the  dim  masses  of 
the  foliage  of  the  "paradise,"  —  the  wide  park 
around  the  king's  house.  Then  the  company  came 
again  to  a  rising  way,  and  a  word  from  Mermaza 
shook  Atossa  from  her  revery. 

"  Look  !  "  Atossa  saw  before  her,  in  the  faint 
gloaming,  the  columned  halls  of  a  far-reaching 
temple,  as  it  were  —  massive  pillars  curiously  carved 
and  banded,  which  stretched  away  along  long  colon 
nades,  yoked  together  by  heavy  vaulting  and  arches. 
Marvel  enough  this  would  have  been,  even  in  Baby 
lon,  city  of  marvels,  for  these  galleries  covered  a 
prodigious  area ;  but  they  were  only  the  beginning 
of  the  wonder.  Above  them,  springing  from  their 
roof,  was  a  second  system  of  like  columns,  and 
arched  above  this,  a  third ;  and  above  this,  so  high 
that  the  eye  grew  weary  of  staring  upward,  rare 
Indian  palms  and  stately  cedars  of  Lebanon  were 
spread  against  a  sky  dyed  red  by  a  hundred  great 
bonfires. 

"  Do  we  mount  to  heaven  ?  "  cried  the  princess. 

And  Mermaza  answered,  smiling,  "  Ah,  my  lady, 
I  think  the  '  Mansion  of  Ea '  will  be  scarce  fairer 
than  the  Hanging  Gardens." 

The  king  had  left  his  chariot,  to  ascend  on  foot ; 
but  the  litter  went  straight  up  an  easy  stairway— 


80  BELSHAZZAR 

higher,  higher,  till  it  seemed  the  climbing  would 
never  end.  Mermaza  told  how  luxurious  chambers 
were  hid  in  the  masses  of  the  lower  colonnades ;  and 
how  a  hydraulic  engine  was  pumping  unceasingly, 
raising  water  from  the  Euphrates.  Then,  when  at 
last  the  crest  was  reached,  suddenly  the  stars  were 
blotted  out  by  the  flaring  of  innumerable  fresh  cres 
sets,  till  the  avenues  of  trees  and  the  almost  virgin 
laurel  bowers  and  fern-brakes  glowed  as  if  touched 
by  the  dawning. 

They  had  arrived,  it  seemed  to  Atossa,  upon  a 
broad  mountain  summit,  thickly  overgrown  with 
trees,  but  with  here  and  there  a  clearing.  In  and 
out  the  trees  were  flitting  white-robed  figures,  ghost 
fashion.  Scattered  about  where  the  torches  glim 
mered  brightest,  she  could  see  the  guests  of  the 
king,  the  nobles  of  the  Chaldees,  the  chiefs  of  the 
priesthoods,  their  wives,  and  harem  women,  all  in 
their  gayest  robes,  crowned  with  flowers  and  myrtle 
wreaths.  Out  of  the  shadows  of  the  groves  drifted 
music,  now  soft  and  sensuous,  now  swift  and  mar 
tial,  and  delicate  voices  lifted  up  their  song. 

But  the  litter  moved  onward,  through  all  these 
leafy  ways,  until  it  halted  in  the  open  air,  at  a  space 
on  the  side  of  the  gardens  overlooking  the  river. 
On  north,  south,  and  west  the  woods  closed  in,  dense 
as  the  primeval  forest  :  but  here  all  the  ground  was 
carpeted  with  sweet  grasses,  and  there  was  a  clear 
view  eastward  over  the  wide  stretch  of  the  city, 
where  the  shimmer  of  its  lights  answered  the  twin- 


THE   GLOEY  OF  THE  CHALDEES          81 

kling  stars  on  high.  There  were  bowers  of  wreathed 
blossoms,  ivy,  and  tamarisk  ;  under  these  were  spread 
many  small  tables  loaded  with  food  and  drink  ;  and 
behind  each  table  waited  a  eunuch,  dark,  silent, 
statue-like,  in  gaudy  livery. 

The  king  had  gone  on  foot  before  the  litter  ;  now 
he  halted  in  the  centre  of  this  sky-canopied  hall  at 
the  tallest  of  the  bowers,  and  they  set  Atossa  down 
beside  him. 

"  Behold,"  spoke  Belshazzar ;  "  look  on  these  gar 
dens,  the  like  of  which  is  nowhere  else  in  the  world. 
They  are  given  to  you.  This  shall  be  your  feast. 
These  eunuchs  are  your  slaves.  We  shall  all  eat  of 
your  bounty." 

"  The  king  is  kind,"  said  the  Persian,  meekly. 
"  What  have  I  done  that  he  vouchsafes  such  favour  ?  " 

Belshazzar  laughed  before  them  all. 

"  Done  ?  Who  demands  of  Istar  anything  save 
the  brightness  from  her  eyes  and  honey  from  her 
lips?" 

"  True,"  cried  fifty  at  once;  "  there  is  no  lady  like 
Atossa,  like  Atossa,  daughter  of  Cyrus." 

Then  Mermaza  ceremoniously  handed  his  mistress 
to  the  high  seat  beside  the  two  couches  prepared  for 
the  king  and  Darius. 

Now,  in  the  feast  that  followed,  Belshazzar  bore 
himself  as  if  all  the  world's  joy  were  summed  up  in 
that  one  night ;  he  drank,  laughed,  jested,  and  went 
to  no  small  lengths  to  make  Darius  as  merry  as  he. 
But  though  the  prince  paid  laughter  for  laughter, 


82  BELSHAZZAR 

and  played  his  part  in  the  game  of  repartee,  he 
never  forgot  that  close  by  sat  one  for  whose  sake  he 
would  have  braved  the  might  of  Belshazzar  and  all 
the  host  of  the  Chaldees.  And  Atossa  laughed  with 
her  lips,  but  could  not  with  her  eyes.  The  Persians 
dared  not  glance  at  one  another.  How  much  better 
if  Darius  had  never  come  on  the  embassy  !  It 
would  now  take  so  long  to  forget! 

During  the  feast  the  court  poet  came  before 
Atossa,  with  a  great  orchestra  of  harpers  and  dulci 
mer  players.  The  poet  sang  a  marvellous  song, 
full  of  all  the  flowery  flatteries  of  the  East,  praising 
the  princess  : — 

"  O  light  of  heaven  who  hast  come  down  to  dwell  among  men, 
Thou  art  exalted  in  strength ! 

Mighty  art  thou  as  a  hyena  hunting  the  young  lamb  1 
Mighty  art  thou  as  a  restless  lion ! 
Thou  art  Istar,  maiden  of  the  sky  ! 
Thou  art  Istar,  consort  of  the  very  Sun  !  " 

So  the  stately  poem  ran,  and  Atossa  gave  its 
author  her  thanks  and  a  bracelet  unclasped  from 
her  own  white  wrist.  But  Mermaza,  who  served 
her,  noticed  that  she  ate  little  of  all  the  venison 
and  fresh-caught  barbel,  of  the  pomegranates  and 
grapes.  And  he  shrewdly  observed  that  Darius  did 
scarcely  better.  At  last  the  viands  were  borne 
away.  Belshazzar  turned  to  Mermaza.  "Let  them 
bring  the  drinking  bowls,"  he  commanded. 

"  Yes,  my  king,"  was  the  answer ;  "  and  shall  the 
sacred  vessels  of  the  gods  of  the  nations  conquered 


THE   GLORY  OF  THE   CHALDEES          83 

by  my  lord's  predecessors  be  filled,  that  we  may 
drink  to  the  health  of  the  princess  and  the  glory  of 
Bel-Marduk  ?  " 

"  Bring,  then,  those  from  the  sack  of  Nineveh,  the 
spoils  from  the  victory  over  Pharaoh  Necho,  and 
from  the  temple  at  Jerusalem." 

But  Atossa  touched  the  king's  hand.  "  May  my 
lord's  handmaid  speak  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  swore  he,  "  though  you  ask  the  head  of 
the  chief  prince  of  Babylon." 

"  Then  do  not  bring  the  vessels  sacred  to  the  Jew 
ish  Jehovah.  For  though  under  different  names, 
Persians  and  Jews  alike  worship  one  God." 

Avil-Marduk,  close  by,  was  frowning  ;  but  Bel- 
shazzar  answered  graciously :  "  Is  this  not  your  own 
feast?  Let  Jehovah's  vessels  lie  in  their  coffers." 

So  the  eunuchs  set  on  the  tables  huge  bowls  of 
chased  silver,  and  into  these  emptied  many  wine- 
jars.  A  sweet  odour  was  wafted  by  the  night  breeze 
from  the  perfumed  paste  dissolving  in  the  liquor. 
Soon  the  cups  began  to  go  about,  and  the  Baby 
lonian  nobles  roared  their  pledges,  —  to  Belshazzar ; 
to  his  betrothed ;  to  Cyrus,  their  new  ally ;  above 
all,  to  Bel-Marduk,  guardian  of  Babylon,  "god  of 
gods,  and  lord  of  lords,  through  whose  might  their 
city  had  waxed  great  for  a  thousand  years."  Bel 
shazzar  drank  deeply ;  Darius  only  touched  his  gob 
let;  Atossa  did  not  touch  it  at  all. 

"  Ha,  son  of  Hystaspes ! "  cried  the  king,  his 
spirits  rising  with  the  wine  that  was  flushing  his 


84  BELSHAZZAR 

v* 

temples.  "You  Persians  have  a  custom  to  take 
counsel  when  drunken.  Strong  wine  is  a  gift  from 
your  god,  yet  they  wait  to  fill  your  second  goblet." 

Darius  drained  his  cup,  and  handed  it  to  the 
eunuch  behind  him. 

"True,  your  Majesty;  but  the  spirit  of  the  wine 
is  not  to  be  invoked  lightly.  On  what  take  coun 
sel?  War?  We  sealed  the  treaty  of  peace  to-day." 

"  Yet  wine  is  a  gift  from  Nabu,  lord  of  the  wise. 
Woe  to  the  despiser  !  Come,  evening  wanes  ;  they 
call  the  third  hour  of  the  night  from  Bel's  ziggurat. 
One  thing  is  left." 

Belshazzar  rose  from  his  couch.  There  was  a 
great  crash  of  music.  The  drinkers  were  silent 
instantly.  The  king  stepped  beside  Atossa. 

"  Look,  lords  of  the  Chaldees !  "  rang  his  voice. 
"This  hour  I  proclaim  Atossa,  the  daughter  of 
Cyrus,  my  affianced  wife.  One  year  from  this  hour 
shall  be  my  bridal  feast.  Behold  the  sovereign 
lady  of  the  land  of  Akkad  I  " 

He  lifted  the  blue  and  white  mitre  from  his  head 
and  placed  it  on  the  Persian's  golden  hair.  A  great 
shout  reechoed,  making  the  dying  torches  shimmer. 

"  The  queen !    The  queen !    Hail,  all  hail,  Atossa !  " 

Darius  rose  also.  No  Babylonian  knew  what  the 
words  cost  him.  He  raised  his  goblet :  — 

"  To  Belshazzar,  son  of  Cyrus.  May  Ahura  grant 
him  and  his  house  prosperity  for  ten  thousand  years !  " 

Another  shout.  Avil-Marduk,  leading  the  rest, 
leaped  to  his  feet,  crying :  — 


THE  GLOKY  OF  THE  CHALDEES    85 

44  To  the  favour  of  Sin,  of  Samas,  of  Marduk  upon 
the  house  of  Cyrus,  and  upon  the  noble  Prince 
Darius ! " 

The  pledge  was  drunk  amid  furious  cheering  and 
the  clatter  of  wine-cups ;  and  the  king  shouted,  last 
of  all:  — 

"  To  the  peace  betwixt  Persia  and  Babylon,  may 
it  be  firm  forever !  " 

More  applause.  Mermaza  was  bowing  before 
Atossa :  — 

"Dread  lady,  the  feast  is  at  an  end.  All  the 
women  will  return  now  to  the  palace;  but,  after 
our  custom,  the  king's  nobles  will  sit  over  their 
wine  as  long  as  they  desire." 

Darius  had  not  spoken  to  Atossa  during  the 
entire  evening.  But  he  knew  that  the  end  had 
come,  and  could  not  see  her  go  without  one  word. 

"My  lord,"  said  he  to  Belshazzar,  "I  must  say 
farewell  to  the  Queen  of  the  Chaldees.  Hence 
forth  she  is  Babylonian,  not  Persian.  Into  your 
hands  I  commit  her.  Yet,  with  your  permission,  I 
will  speak  with  her  —  for  the  last  time,  before  she 
enters  your  harem." 

"  Say  what  you  will,"  came  the  careless  answer. 

Darius  stood  beside  the  princess's  chair.  It  was 
only  for  an  instant.  Why  did  his  voice  sound  so 
harsh  and  metallic?  Why  did  Atossa  seem  to  fear 
to  look  him  in  the  face? 

"My  lady,"  said  he,  "I  am  at  the  end  of  my 
commission  concerning  you.  I  shall  be  in  Baby- 


86  BELSHAZZAK 

Ion  for  some  time  upon  your  father's  business. 
But  we  shall  see  each  other  no  more.  Farewell; 
may  Ahura  the  All-merciful  grant  you  peace  and 
every  joy.  And  before  all,  may  you  learn  to  forget 
the  name  4  Darius.' " 

It  was  not  what  he  had  intended  to  say ;  he  had 
thought  on  these  words  of  parting  since  the  feast 
began.  Why  was  it  his  tongue  would  not  move 
obedient  to  his  will? 

Atossa  raised  her  head,  gave  him  one  look  out  of 
those  blue  Persian  eyes  —  so  blue !  Was  Mithra's 
light-robed  azure  fairer  sight  than  they  ? 

"And  may  you  forget  there  was  a  maid  named 
Atossa,  who  found  all  Paradise  in  sight  of  you. 
You  are  right.  Time  will  be  kind.  Farewell." 

That  was  all  she  said.  They  had  spoken  in  their 
own  native  Persian,  which  the  rest  could  not  un 
derstand.  And  if  the  sly  Mermaza  had  thoughts  in 
secret,  while  he  watched  them,  what  did  Darius  care  ? 

Then  they  took  her  away  in  the  litter,  after 
Darius  had  knelt  and  kissed  the  hem  of  her  dress. 
He  found  himself  beside  the  king,  but  ceremony 
was  at  an  end.  Noblemen  were  wandering  from 
table  to  table,  bawling  to  the  yawning  eunuchs  for 
more  wine.  Avil-Marduk  came  to  the  king  and 
entered  into  a  familiar  conversation  on  some  mat 
ter  of  repairing  the  temple  at  Uruk.  Seeing  that 
nothing  more  was  expected  of  him,  Darius  craved 
the  royal  permission,  readily  granted,  to  wander 
about  the  gardens. 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  CHALDEES    87 

Only  a  few  steps  carried  him  under  the  shadow 
of  the  woods.  The  cries  of  the  revellers  drifted 
through  the  thickets ;  a  pale  moon  was  hanging  in 
the  sky ;  there  was  an  uncertain  light  on  the  carpet 
of  moss  and  turf  under  the  great  trees.  He  almost 
thought  himself,  except  for  the  shouting,  in  the 
heart  of  an  untrodden  wood.  He  wandered  on 
aimlessly,  half  in  a  dream.  How  beautiful  Atossa 
had  been  that  night !  He  knew  that  the  pain  in 
her  heart  was  as  great  as  that  in  his  —  and  his, 
how  great!  Would  Belshazzar  treat  her  honour 
ably,  cherish  her  as  "first  queen"  in  his  harem, 
after  the  immediate  need  for  propitiating  the  all- 
powerful  Cyrus  had  passed?  The  king  had  im 
pressed  him  more  favourably  that  night  than  ever 
before;  he  had  shown  himself  affable  and  generous. 
Doubtless  his  flaring  passion  for  the  Jewish  Ruth 
had  long  since  vanished ;  but  what  if  his  desires  and 
impulses  always  mastered  him  thus  easily? 

Darius  wandered  onward,  looking  within,  not 
without,  until  he  was  roused  by  stumbling  against 
a  brick  parapet  that  marked  the  outer  wall  of  the 
gardens.  He  sank  upon  the  trunk  of  a  fallen  tree 
—  for  this  strange  forest  had  been  suffered  to  grow 
nigh  wild  since  its  creation.  The  noise  of  the 
drinkers  seemed  to  come  to  him  from  a  great  way 
off.  Despite  the  fact  that  he  had  touched  little 
wine,  he  felt  his  head  becoming  heavy.  Bred  as  he 
was  to  the  life  of  a  Persian  cavalryman,  able  to 
pillow  upon  the  hardest  steppe,  the  prince  was  close 


88  BELSHAZZAE 

to  falling  asleep  and  slumbering  soundly.  He  was 
drifting  into  semiconsciousness ;  the  shouts,  the 
torchlights,  were  alike  fading  away.  A  moment 
more  and  he  might  have  slept  till  daybreak,  if  not 
searched  for,  when  a  sound  of  crackling  underbrush 
startled  him. 

"  A  deer  !  "  his  first  thought,  the  hunter's  in 
stinct  foremost,  and  his  hand  felt  mechanically  for 
an  absent  sword.  In  an  instant  he  recognized 
human  voices  —  three  forms  approaching  through 
the  darkness.  "  Drinkers,"  he  argued ;  "  they  leave 
the  rest  to  enjoy  a  bowl  in  secret."  And  he  arose 
noiselessly,  as  one  of  his  training  could,  not  desiring 
to  interrupt  such  a  party.  Suddenly  a  familiar  voice 
sounded  —  Belshazzar's. 

"Darius?     Where  is  he?" 

And  the  voice  of  Mermaza  replied,  "  Almost  I  can 
swear  he  was  in  the  party  that  went  to  the  chariots 
for  the  palace." 

"  More  likely  asleep  under  the  tables,"  came  from 
a  third,  clearly  Avil-Marduk. 

"  Not  there,"  commented  the  eunuch ;  "  he  was 
barely  civil  in  his  drinking." 

"  No  matter  if  he  is  not  here,"  answered  Bel- 
shazzar.  "  Faugh  !  How  much  longer  must  I 
juggle  with  this  marvellous  envoy  ?  By  Nergal ! 
his  only  sane  talk  is  of  hunting.  I  grant  that  he  is 
a  fair  archer." 

"  Not  comparable  with  my  lord,"  flattered  Mermaza. 

"  Most  headlong    and   unprincely,"   added   Avil. 


THE   GLORY  OF  THE  CHALDEES          89 

"Could  the  king  have  but  seen  him  this  morning 
rush  into  strife  as  a  dog  after  a  carcass." 

"  Hist !  "  cautioned  the  king ;  "  what  stirs  in  the 
thicket?  " 

Mermaza  peered  into  the  dark.  As  Darius  stood, 
he  could  have  touched  the  eunuch ;  but  he  remained 
motionless,  and  Avil-Marduk  reassured:  "Only  a 
harmless  snake.  We  are  more  alone  here  than  in 
the  palace,  where  every  wall  has  ears." 

Belshazzar  groped  his  way  to  the  log  Darius  had 
just  quitted  and  seated  himself.  The  others  duti 
fully  remained  standing. 

"  By  Samas  ! "  began  the  king,  as  if  rejoiced  to 
feel  himself  free  to  speak,  "  we  have  thus  far  played 
the  game  out  well.  Marduk  grant  the  sky  may 
remain  calm  !  What  do  they  say  in  the  city  con 
cerning  Nabonidus,  my  father  ?  " 

Avil  laughed  softly.  "Let  the  king's  heart  be 
enlarged.  My  underlings  tell  me  the  people  say, 
'Though  the  public  records  still  run  in  the  good 
Nabonidus's  name,  he  is  grievously  stricken  by  the 
"  madness-demon  " ;  and  praised  be  Istar  who  sends 
the  noble  Belshazzar  to  replace  him  ! ' '' 

"  If  the  tale  spreads  that  Nabonidus  is  in  sound 
health,  shut  up  in  Tema,  what  then  ?  " 

"  Many  things,  my  lord,  —  revolt,  mutiny  in  the 
army  ;  but  nothing  shall  leak.  In  a  year  you  will 
be  firmly  set  upon  the  throne  and  can  mock  at  all 
rumours.  Only  I  fear  the  two  men  we  have  looked 
askance  at  for  so  long,  Imbi-Ilu  and  Daniel." 


90  BELSHAZZAR 

"  Daniel !  "  exclaimed  the  king,  as  if  struck  by  a 
sudden  suggestion.  "I  had  forgotten  about  his 
wench.  She  is  at  the  harem,  of  course,  Mermaza, — 
you  shall  bring  her  to  me  in  the  morning." 

There  was  a  long  and  very  awkward  interval  be 
fore  the  eunuch  found  courage  to  stammer :  — 

"  Pardon,  River  of  Compassion,  —  I,  the  least  of 
your  slaves  —  " 

"She  is  not  at  the  harem?"  demanded  the  king, 
threateningly. 

What  followed,  Darius  did  not  well  comprehend, 
thanks  to  the  darkness,  and  the  mingling  of  Mer- 
maza's  snifflings  with  Belshazzar's  curses  and  oaths. 
The  Persian  imagined  the  eunuch  had  fallen  upon 
his  knees,  and  was  almost  pleading  for  his  head.  It 
sufficed  that  substantially  the  full  story  of  the  fruit 
less  pursuit  of  the  Jewess,  and  the  defiance  of  Imbi- 
Ilu,  was  gasped  out  at  last.  When  it  was  finished, 
Belshazzar  swore  madly. 

"  Now  as  Marduk  lives,  I  will  have  the  life  of 
Daniel  by  another  day,  and  pluck  his  daughter  - —  " 

"  Peace,  your  Majesty,"  interposed  Avil,  abruptly. 
"  Will  you  raise  all  Babylon  in  an  uproar  ?  Believe 
me,  Daniel  is  a  power,  even  as  against  you,  my  king. 
Men  may  think  him  old,  honest,  unsuspecting  ;  but 
I  know  better.  He  is  rich,  like  all  his  accursed  race. 
The  city  folk  worship  him.  Imbi-Ilu  can  rally  half 
the  priesthoods,  as  many  as  are  jealous  of  Bel-Mar- 
duk,  in  his  behalf.  And  again  beware ;  for  raise  a 
wind  that  will  blow  into  the  Persian  envoy's  ears 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  CHALDEES    91 

that  you  are  seeking  the  maid,  and  when  will  he 
trust  oath  of  yours  again  ?  I  pray  all  the  gods  he 
hear  nothing  of  Mermaza's  rash  blunder  this  day." 

"  The  envoy  !  "  grunted  Belshazzar.  "  What  does 
he  see  and  know  while  in  Babylon?  No  bat  is 
blinder  to  all  save  his  sport." 

"The  king  is  mistaken,"  admonished  Avil, 
smoothly,  "if  he  thinks  Darius  utterly  witless.  I 
have  watched  him,  and  I  boast  to  be  a  judge  of 
men.  When  not  in  liquor,  he  is  deep  and  crafty 
beyond  appearance.  Do  nothing  to  offend  him  till 
the  proper  time ;  and  as  for  the  Jew's  daughter,  let 
the  king  wait.  Mermaza  can  find  many  another  as 
likely  maid,  sold  in  the  market  for  twenty  shekels." 

"  No,  by  Samas !  "  asserted  Belshazzar,  testily. 
"I  wish  for  no  fowls  out  of  that  flock.  Whatso 
ever  I  once  set  my  heart  on,  that  will  I  possess, 
though  all  the  plague-demon's  sprites  rage  round 
me.  I  have  sworn  to  gain  the  girl,  and  were  she 
ten  times  less  comely  than  she  is,  no  power  of  man 
shall  say  to  the  king  of  Babylon  '  nay.'  r 

Avil  coughed,  it  seemed  derisively,  and  spoke  in 
an  authoritative  tone  wondrously  disrespectful  to  a 
crowned  monarch  :  — 

"Lord,  we  have  many  things  to  think  of  before 
wasting  time  or  sleep  on  a  slip  of  a  girl.  When  the 
father  is  snug  in  the  palace  prison,  we  can  give 
thought  to  the  child.  Yet  give  me  time,  your 
Majesty,  and  I  will  weave  a  net  for  Daniel,  and 
his  daughter,  too ;  but  make  no  new  attempt  on  her 


92  BELSHAZZAR, 

for  the  present.  Again  I  repeat,  nothing  to  offend 
the  Persian." 

"  Now,  by  Allat's  fiends ! "  cursed  Belshazzar, 
"  must  it  be  the  Persian,  always  the  Persian  ?  I 
grow  weary  dissembling ;  yet  I  do  it  well  ?  " 

"Excellently  well,"  soothed  Avil,  who  felt  he 
might  be  stepping  too  far.  "But  consider  once 
more :  touch  Daniel  before  there  is  proper  occasion, 
or  outrage  the  envoy,  and  abroad  we  have  war  with 
Cyrus,  and  at  home  all  Babylon  buzzing  about  the 
palace  in  revolt.  Gently,  my  king,  gently!  Re 
member  that  your  government  is  not  two  months 
old." 

"  Daniel  the  Jew  !  "  repeated  Belshazzar  ;  "  the 
Jew !  I  do  not  know  why  I  hate  that  race  so 
utterly.  They  are  a  stiff-necked  people,  sticking  to 
their  Jehovah-worship  like  flies  at  the  mouth  of  a 
wine-jar.  And  the  Persians  are  like  them.  Oh, 
that  they  all  had  one  neck,  that  Khatin  might 
cut  it !  " 

"Let  the  king's  liver  be  at  peace,"  began  Mer- 
maza,  comforting;  but  he  took  a  step  backward. 
Darius,  behind  a  shrub,  had  been  unable  to  stir  hand 
or  foot  from  the  beginning  of  the  conversation,  for 
the  least  sound  would  have  betrayed.  His  cheeks 
had  flushed  hot  when  he  heard  his  own  name  spoken; 
he  had  swelled  with  utter  wrath  when  he  knew  that 
the  pledge  touching  Ruth  had  been  given  only  to  be 
conveniently  broken.  Mermaza's  arm  swung  at  a 
careless  gesture,  and  brushed  the  Persian's  face.  A 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  CHALDEES    93 

shout,  and  Avil  and  Belshazzar  had  leaped  upon  the 
eavesdropper  before  he  could  escape  in  the  dark. 

"  Conspirators !  Assassins  !  "  Avil-Marduk  was 
howling.  "  Help,  guards  !  The  king  is  beset !  " 

But  the  royal  wine  had  laid  half  the  attendants 
low  with  unseen  arrows,  and  the  wits  of  the  rest 
moved  very  slowly.  There  were  answering  cries 
from  the  distance,  torches  tossing,  commands  thun 
dered  ;  but  it  was  nothing  easy  to  find  one's  way  in 
the  wood.  Avil  had  gripped  the  Persian  round  the 
throat,  so  that  for  an  instant  he  gave  not  one  gurgle ; 
but  when  Darius  once  put  forth  his  strength,  the 
three  found  they  had  bayed  a  lion  indeed.  With 
his  left  fist  he  smote  over  Mermaza,  so  that  the 
eunuch  went  down  with  a  groan.  The  chief  priest 
nipped  fast,  but  the  Persian  tore  away  his  fingers, 
plucked  him  round  the  girdle,  and  flung  him  sprawl 
ing.  The  king  remained.  Darius's  first  impulse 
was  to  cry  aloud,  but  thoughts  raced  fast  at  that 
moment.  To  betray  his  identity  might  mean  ruin 
for  kingdoms.  For  an  instant  prince  and  monarch 
grappled.  Belshazzar's  fingers  closed  like  talons  of 
steel,  but  Darius  had  not  been  vainly  trained  to 
wrestle.  Twice  he  lifted  Belshazzar,  and  the  king 
clung  to  the  ground;  the  third  time,  just  as  Avil- 
Marduk  was  staggering  to  his  feet,  Belshazzar's 
foothold  spun  from  beneath  him,  and  he  fell  heavily 
upon  the  greensward.  There  were  shouts  now, 
torches  coming  nearer. 

Darius  could  see  them  flashing  on  bright  steel 


94  BELSHAZZAE 

"  Murderers !  "  bawled  Avil.  "  The  king  is 
slain!" 

Darius  took  a  great  bound  into  the  thicket,  a 
second,  a  third ;  then  ran  swiftly  as  a  cat,  and  as 
silently,  onward  in  the  dark.  His  long  Median 
cloak  caught  on  a  thorn  bush  and  was  whisked  from 
his  shoulders  before  he  realized  it.  To  recover  it 
in  the  gloom  and  danger  was  impossible.  "Ahura 
grant,"  ran  his  prayer,  "  none  may  find  it  and  recog 
nize  !  "  Many  of  the  drinkers  had  staggered  from 
their  wine  and  were  wandering  about,  shouting, 
"  Murder  !  Save  the  king  !  "  but  their  pursuit  was 
aimless.  Yet  he  saw  men  staring  at  him  as  he  ran 
back  toward  the  banqueting  area.  Who  was  this 
at  the  royal  feast  without  a  courtly  garment?  None 
recognized  him  as  yet,  but  he  knew  that  his  con 
dition,  if  he  remained,  must  excite  speedy  comment. 
He  was  a  stranger  to  the  place,  and  wandered  vainly 
about,  seeking  the  exit,  and  only  running  on  new 
groups  of  frightened  eunuchs  and  tipsy  guardsmen. 
His  position  was  becoming  serious,  when  of  a  sudden 
he  was  startled  by  a  hand  plucking  at  his  elbow. 

As  he  started,  a  familiar  voice  sounded  in  his 
ear:  — 

"  My  lord,  do  you  not  know  me  ?  Your  servant, 
Isaiah  the  Jew.  My  lord  is  in  trouble.  What  may 
I  do  for  you?  " 

The  prince  wasted  no  words.  "In  Ahura's  name, 
lead  me  down  from  these  gardens  and  away  from  all 
these  people  before  I  am  recognized." 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  CHALDEES    95 

"  Willingly,"  came  the  answer.  "  I  know  this 
place  as  well  by  starlight  as  at  noonday.  We  are 
near  the  private  staircase  by  the  northern  wall  of 
the  gardens."  And  Isaiah  led  away  into  a  winding 
path  between  dark  shrubbery.  In  a  moment  they 
were  at  the  head  of  a  long,  narrow  stairway  that 
wound  downward  and  was  lost  in  the  gloom  below. 
There  were  two  spearmen  on  guard  at  the  upper 
landing,  but  both  had  long  since  invoked  the  wine- 
god  over-piously,  and  were  stretched  prone  and  help 
less.  Isaiah  gave  them  only  a  sniff  of  contempt. 
He  plucked  a  flickering  flambeau  from  the  wall, 
and  guided  the  Persian  downward  —  a  weird  and 
uncanny  descent.  Above  there  were  shouts  and 
commands ;  and  before  they  had  put  twenty  stairs 
betwixt  them  and  the  landing,  there  came  a  cry 
from  over  their  heads. 

"  Guard  this  exit !  These  swine  are  drunken ; 
the  assassins  may  have  fled  this  way !  " 

"Speed,  my  lord,"  admonished  Isaiah  in  a  whis 
per.  The  sound  of  many  feet  following  made  them 
descend  by  bounds.  Well  it  was  that  their  pursuers 
were  deep  in  their  cups,  and  they  themselves  were 
sober.  At  the  foot  of  the  stairs  there  were  two 
more  guards,  each  as  prone  and  senseless  as  their 
fellows  on  high. 

"The  danger  is  at  an  end,  my  prince,"  declared 
Isaiah;  "they  can  suspect  nothing  now." 

He  led  the  Persian  by  a  second  dark  circuit  under 
the  colonnades  of  the  lowest  stage  of  the  gardens 


96  BELSHAZZAR 

to  where  they  had  left  the  carriages  at  the  begin 
ning  of  the  feast.  Here  none  met  them,  though 
there  was  still  much  din  from  the  gardens.  Darius 
told  himself  that  if  the  king  of  Babylon  and  his 
lords  often  feasted  thus,  not  fifty  sword-hands 
would  be  found  sober  if  an  enemy  attacked  the 
palace  on  such  a  night.  They  found  no  chariots 
waiting  to  bear  the  royal  guests  back  to  the  palace. 
And  Isaiah  remarked,  with  a  shrug  of  the  shoul 
ders  :  — 

"  None  expect  them,  my  lord.  Good  Babylonians 
drink  all  night." 

"  All  the  better.  Guide  me  back  to  the  palace  in 
secret." 

So  the  two  walked  back  together,  and  a  man  need 
not  be  wise  to  imagine  what  the  Persian  told  the 
Jew,  and  the  Jew  told  the  Persian. 

At  the  great  gate  of  the  palace  they  met  more 
drunken  guards,  and  Isaiah  conducted  Darius  to  his 
own  chambers,  where  at  last  they  found  the  Persians 
of  the  prince's  suite  moderately  sober. 

"Let  us  pray  the  one  God,  my  friend,"  were 
Darius's  words  at  parting,  "the  one  God  we  both 
fear,  for  strength  and  wisdom  beyond  that  of  man. 
A  great  work  lies  before  us,  and  by  His  help  we 
will  bring  low  the  4Lie'  whose  seat  is  this  great 
Babylon !  " 


SPELL  OF  THE  MASKIM  tat 


CHAPTER  VII 

AS  the  afternoon  waned,  Nur-Samas's  beer-house 
buzzed  louder  and  louder,  until  a  stranger 
might  have  deemed  it  one  vast  beehive.  The 
jolly  liquor  and  the  bouncing  serving-maids  about 
Sadasu,  the  hostess,  were  twin  lures  that  stole  the 
stamped  silver  out  of  the  pouches  of  the  most  wary. 
The  room  was  large,  cool,  and  dark.  Stools  were 
scattered  about  in  little  groups,  every  seat  occupied 
with  its  toper.  In  the  hands  of  each  was  a  sizable 
earthen  jug  that  was  replenished  by  the  girls  as 
often  as  its  holder  snapped  his  fingers  or  clapped  his 
hands.  Everybody  was  talking  at  once,  with  little 
heed  whether  his  neighbour  was  also  talking  or  listen 
ing.  All  were  trying  to  barter  broad  jests  or  roar 
ing  at  them,  though  scarce  a  man  or  woman  there 
but  was  too  tipsy  to  tell  a  straight  story  or  under 
stand  the  point  of  what  was  told  them. 

When  Khatin,  the  executioner,  went  down  the  stair 
way  to  enjoy  his  afternoon  tankard,  he  found  Gudea, 
the  lean  "demon-ejector,"  and  Binit,  his  angular 
wife,  who  acted  as  hired  wailer  at  funerals,  both  with 
their  noses  deep  in  their  cups,  and  they  only  lifted 

97 


98  BELSHAZZAK, 

them  when  Khatin  drew  his  stool  close  by  theirs,  and 
began  to  tell  of  the  mysterious  attack  that  had  been 
made  on  the  king's  own  person  at  the  great  feast. 

"A  fearful  atrocity  !  "  the  headsman  was  bewail 
ing  ;  "  and  the  worst  of  it  all  is  that  no  one  has  yet 
been  laid  by  the  heels  and  brought  to  me  for  it. 
Only  two  heads  sheared  to-day  —  wretched  eunuchs 
who  fell  out  with  the  queen-mother  Tavat-Hasina. 
I  grow  sluggish  for  lack  of  work." 

"  Poor  Khatin  !  "  commiserated  Binit.  "  Yet 
sympathize  with  Gudea  ;  for  two  days  he  has  not 
cast  out  a  single  '  sickness-demon,'  and  I  have  only 
wailed  at  one  funeral,  that  of  the  rich  old  goat  Isnil, 
who  died  of  sheer  age.  The  city  grows  impious  and 
healthy.  Men  give  up  calling  in  an  honest  wizard 
when  sick,  and  trust  to  roots  and  herbs  and  those 
horrible  Egyptian  doctors.  The  gods  must  grow 
dreadfully  angry.  The  Jews  still  refuse  to  worship 
Bel  and  Nabu,  despite  the  forced  labour,  and  this 
makes  heaven  yet  more  furious.  Alas  !  Such  evil 
times  !  " 

Khatin  raised  his  head,  with  a  chuckle. 

"  Now  by  all  the  host  of  heaven  !  "  professed  he, 
"  I  think  the  gods  must  get  on  excellently  well,  even 
if  a  few  less  shekels  are  wasted  on  such  worthy  ser 
vants  as  you,  my  dear  Binit  and  Gudea.  They  do  say 
that  even  if  the  gods  grow  furious,  when  one  really 
longs  to  be  rid  of  a  sickness,  it  is  safer  to  trust  the 
Egyptian  doctors  than  the  most  noted  wizard  in  all 
Babylon." 


THE   SPELL   OF  THE  MASKIM  99 

"  Khatin,"  admonished  Gudea,  rising  in  his  dignity, 
"  you  call  yourself  my  friend ;  understand  that  if  you 
call  down  the  wrath  of  the  gods  by  your  blasphemies, 
you  need  expect  no  help  from  me  to  avert  their  rage." 

"No  offence,  brother,"  responded  the  headsman, 
as  soothingly  as  he  knew  how.  "  Here,  girl,  fill  the 
noble  exorcist's  jug  again,  and  put  it  on  my  reckon 
ing.  A  long  pull  now,  —  to  the  confusion  of  every 
Jew  and  traducer  of  the  gods  !  Ha  !  What  a  happy 
life  this  would  be,  if  it  were  all  one  round  of  quaffing 
palm-wine.'* 

"You  are  very  generous,"  remarked  Gudea, 
appeased.  "  I  swear  these  last  skins  Nur-Samas  had 
sent  up  from  Sirgulla  are  delightfully  heady.  My 
crown  already  begins  to  go  round  like  a  chariot 
wheel.  You  are  an  excellent  man,  my  lovely  Khatin, 
a  most  excellent  man  !  By  Marduk,  I  love  you  !  " 
He  had  pulled  his  stool  beside  that  of  Khatin,  put 
his  arm  around  the  executioner,  and  rocked  to  and 
fro,  displaying  his  affection. 

Khatin  likewise,  feeling  the  liquor  loosening  his 
tongue,  began  to  grow  confidential. 

"  Hist !  "  admonished  he,  "  I  am  in  a  great  way  to 
be  consoled.  Do  you  know  there  is  a  rumour  around 
the  palace,  about  Daniel  —  " 

"Daniel  the  'civil-minister,'  the  great  Jew?" 
demanded  Emit,  jerking  her  nose  out  of  her  jug. 

"The  very  same,"  grunted  Khatin,  chuckling 
again;  "  it  is  reported  that  Avil-Marduk — " 

Before   he   could    finish   the   sentence,  which  all 


100  BELSHAZZAE 

around  had  stopped  drinking  and  talking  that  they 
might  hear,  a  call  came  down  the  stairway  from  the 
street  entrance. 

"  Where  is  Gudea  the  exorcist  ? "  The  wizard 
rose,  not  too  tipsy  to  answer  :  — 

"  I  am  he.     Who  are  you  ?     What  do  you  wish  ?  " 

"  I  am  Joram,  son  of  Saruch,  the  rope  merchant," 
came  the  reply.  "  My  father  is  again  torn  by  con 
vulsions.  Terrible  demons  are  rending  him.  Hasten  ! 
Come  and  cast  them  out." 

Gudea  put  on  a  professional  tone  at  once. 

"  Take  comfort,  excellent  youth ;  you  command 
my  best  skill.  Yet  my  time  is  valuable  ;  in  justice 
to  my  wife  I  must  ask  five  shekels." 

"Say  ten,  if  only  the  demons  never  return." 

"  Will  you  come  also,  my  Khatin  ?  "  said  Gudea, 
adjusting  his  long  robes.  "  You  shall  see  my  spells 
accomplish  that  of  which  no  Egyptian  dreams.  And 
you,  wife,  hasten  home,  bring  the  incense  pots, 
aromatic  herbs,  cloves,  garlic,  the  wool  of  a  young 
sheep,  and  some  raw  serpent's  flesh.  We  shall 
need  a  powerful  exorcism."  And  with  that  Binit 
went  her  way,  while  Khatin  followed  his  friend  into 
the  yet  busy  street. 

The  young  man  who  had  summoned  them  bore 
indeed  a  Jewish  name;  but,  as  Gudea  explained,  he 
and  his  father  Saruch  were  men  of  true  worldly  wis 
dom.  If  they  still  prayed  to  Jehovah,  they  had  long 
since  cast  off  their  native  bigotry;  they  brought 
offerings  to  the  temples,  and  knew  that  in  times  of 


THE  SPELL  OF  THE  MA3KIM  101 

illness  one  must  run  for  the  wizard .  As  idler^  recog 
nized  Gudea,  and  the  whisper  spread  that  he  was 
headed  for  Saruch's  house,  a  great  crowd  followed,  for 
there  were  few  better  sights  than  a  skilful  incanta 
tion.  So,  with  a  long  train  of  pedlers,  donkey-boys, 
guardsmen  off  duty,  and  their  kind,  the  exorcist  came 
to  the  dwelling  of  the  rich  Jew,  beside  the  quays. 
The  courtyard  was  open,  and  soon  thronging,  but 
Gudea  ostentatiously  bade  the  servants  to  clear  a 
space  and  bring  forth  their  master.  The  convul 
sions  were  over  for  the  moment.  They  laid  Saruch, 
ghastly  pale,  and  scarce  conscious,  on  the  cushions 
in  the  sunlight  of  the  court.  Gudea  knelt,  blew  in 
his  nostrils  and  ears,  and  rose  with  a  long  face.  To 
the  anxious  wife  and  son  he  announced  solemnly :  — 

"  Good  people,  you  have  indeed  done  well  to  sum 
mon  me.  Nothing  less  than  the  '  Maskim,'  the 
'seven  arch-fiends  of  the  deep,'  have  entered  into 
the  worthy  Saruch."  Whereupon  all  the  jostling 
crowd  began  to  shrink  and  shiver,  though  none 
cried  aloud  lest  the  demons  quit  Saruch  and  slip 
down  their  gaping  mouths.  But  Gudea  reassured 
them  pompously.  "  Be  not  afraid,  excellent  friends. 
The  demons  are  still  in  Saruch,  but  I  have  muttered 
an  infallible  spell  to  control  them  as  they  pass  out. 
They  will  enter  no  other."  The  crowd  pressed 
again  nearer. 

"  Alas,  noble  wizard,"  began  the  wife,  weeping,  "  can 
even  your  skill  eject  the  '  Maskim'  ?  "  Gudea  drew 
himself  up,  offended. 


BELSHAZZAE, 

'".Were  I  another  exorcist,  perchance  you  might 
doubt  "  rightly.  But  am  I  not  the  most  notable 
conjurer  in  Babylon?  Fear  nothing;  you  shall  yet 
see  Saruch  walking  before  you,  well  and  happy." 

"  Nevertheless,"  muttered  Khatin,  impiously,  "  it 
were  no  harm  to  call  an  Egyptian."  But  Binit  had 
bustled  in  with  divers  bundles,  on  which  all  cast 
awesome  glances.  Gudea  unpacked ;  took  sundry 
earthen  pots,  filled  them  with  spices,  struck  fire, 
and  presently  from  them  drifted  a  thick  aromatic 
smoke,  that  blew  in  Saruch's  face  and  set  him 
coughing. 

"  Back,  all  of  you.  Adore  the  gods !  "  com 
manded  the  wizard.  "  I  will  now  commence  the 
never  failing  exorcism  of  the  Maskim." 

There  was  not  a  whisper,  while  the  conjurer 
began  casting  bits  of  wool,  hair,  dried  flowers,  and 
beans  into  the  fire,  each  time  repeating  loudly:  — 

"  Even  as  the  bean  is  cast  in  the  fire, 
Even  as  the  fire  consumes  the  bean ; 
So  may  Marduk,  chieftain  of  the  gods, 
Drive  the  demons  and  their  spell  from  Saruch  !  " 

At  first  Gudea  stood  still ;  then,  laying  off  his 
shoes  and  rubbing  his  hands,  —  token  of  purification, 
— he  commenced  the  sacred  dance  about  the  sufferer. 
In  the  first  rounds  he  moved  slowly,  his  white  gar 
ments  swelling  and  falling  as  he  turned,  while  his 
watchful  wife  fed  the  fire  with  scraps  of  dry  flesh, 
spices,  and  splinters  of  magic  woods.  Gudea  recited 
incantation  after  incantation,  calling  on  Marduk, 


THE   SPELL   OF  THE  MASKIM  103 

Istar,  Ea,  and  every  other  god  to  aid  in  driving  the 
"  seven  fiends "  out  of  Saruch's  throat.  He  con 
tinued,  until  suddenly  the  sick  man  began  to  quiver 
and  foam  at  the  mouth. 

"  The  convulsion  again  !  "  moaned  the  sufferer's 
wife,  starting  forward.  "  Alas  !  my  Saruch !  " 

"  Peace,  woman ! "  thundered  Gudea,  "  will  you 
break  the  spell?  No  danger,  the  fiends  are  risen  in 
his  neck.  They  struggle  against  coming  forth,  but 
I  compel  them."  The  sufferer  almost  rose  from 
his  cushions ;  his  face  was  black,  his  eyes  blood 
shot. 

"  Glory  to  Marduk !  "  howled  Gudea,  "  the  spell 
works.  The  Maskim  depart.  Now,  wife."  Binit 
leaped  to  her  feet  with  a  screech  that  sent  all  the 
sparrows  scurrying  from  the  eaves.  Seven  times 
she  screamed,  until  every  ear  was  tingling,  and  all 
the  time  Gudea  danced  faster,  faster,  in  a  narrow 
circle  about  Saruch. 

"  Come  out  of  him !  Come  out  of  him  !  Away, 
away !  "  he  yelled  at  each  interval  in  the  screeching. 
The  sick  man  was  tottering  to  his  feet. 

"Glory  to  Marduk!"  bawled  Gudea  again,  "the 
fiends  are  mastered.  The  final  spell  now,  the  in 
fallible  incantation." 

And  every  breath  was  bated  while  he  chanted,  still 
dancing,  the  age-honoured  song  of  the  "  Maskim  " :  — 

"  Seven  are  they,  they  are  seven ! 
In  the  deeps  below  they  are  seven ; 
In  the  crest  of  heaven  they  are  seven ; 


104  BELSHAZZAR 

In  the  low  abyss  were  reared  the  seven ; 
Man  or  woman  are  none  of  the  seven ; 
Whirlwinds  baneful  are  all  the  seven  ; 
Wife  or  child  have  none  of  the  seven ; 
Mercy  or  kindness  have  none  of  the  seven ; 
Prayers  and  tears  hear  none  of  the  seven ; 
Eager  for  mischief  are  all  the  seven ; 
Sky-spirit  conjure  away  the  seven  1 
Earth-spirit  conjure  away  the  seven  ! " 

A  final  howl  from  Binit.  Saruch's  answer  was  a 
groan  of  mortal  pain;  he  reeled,  fell. 

But  the  wife  and  son  had  rushed  to  the  old  Jew, 
and  a  fearful  cry  burst  from  the  woman  :  — 

"  Dead  !  dead  !  "  When  she  lifted  the  head,  it 
fell  back  lifeless.  Almost  at  the  same  moment  the 
crowd  was  thrust  aside  by  a  heavy  hand,  and  all  saw 
the  stalwart  form  of  Isaiah  striding  toward  Gudea, 
and  at  the  Hebrew's  heels  a  dignified,  dark-skinned 
man,  in  a  spotless  white  robe. 

"  Urtasen,  the  great  Egyptian  doctor,"  whispered 
one  fellow  to  another. 

Gudea  was  standing  panting,  gazing  upon  the  dead, 
the  widow,  and  Joram.  His  jaw  was  dropped,  his 
eye  vacant.  Even  his  own  effrontery  had  failed  him. 
Isaiah  plucked  him  roughly  by  the  robe. 

"  Make  your  feet  wings,  or  I  will  aid  you,"  he 
commanded.  "  You  have  truly  raised  the  4  Maskim ' 
now." 

The  wizard  recovered  his  tongue. 

"  Dead  ?  "  cried  he,  incredulously  ;  "  he  is  but  in 
a  trance.  He  sleeps  ;  he  will  awake  in  quiet.  The 


Isaiah  plucked  him  roughly  by  the  robe. 
'  Make  your  feet  wings,  or  I  will  aid  you.'  " 


THE   SPELL   OF   THE   MASKIM  105 

demons  tore  him  grievously  in  departing,  but  he  is 
not  dead." 

Urtasen  had  knelt  by  the  body,  examining.  Now 
he  looked  upward. 

"  Saruch  had  an  incurable  disease.  Thoth,  the 
wisest  god,  could  have  scarce  saved  him  in  the  end. 
But  this  smoke  and  bellowing  brought  on  a  last  con 
vulsion.  With  treatment  he  could  have  lived  many 
years.  Now  he  will  wake  only  at  the  call  of  Osiris." 

The  widow  and  Joram  had  leaped  upon  Gudea. 

"  Imposter  !  Juggler  !  "  screamed  the  Jewess  ; 
"  you  boast  to  cure  ?  Call  my  husband's  spirit  back 
from  Sheol,  if  you  may." 

In  their  rage  they  would  have  wrung  the  wizard's 
neck.  Isaiah  interposed.  "  You  alone  are  to  blame, 
Joram  —  you,  false  Jew,  who  have  forsaken  the  faith 
of  your  fathers  !  Jehovah  justly  requites  you.  How 
long  have  you  forgotten  our  law  forbidding  dealings 
with  wizards  and  necromancers  ?  I  heard  the  rumour 
of  Saruch's  state,  and  hastened  hither  with  Urtasen 
to  forestall  this  viper,"  —  with  a  glance  toward 
Gudea,  —  "  but  the  Most  High  ordained  that  I  should 
come  late,  and  you  all  be  dealt  with  after  your  sins." 

"No  more  !  On  my  father's  soul,  no  more  !  " 
Joram  was  moaning,  while  his  tears  came  fast. 

"  You  do  well  to  weep,"  was  the  stern  retort ; 
"  but  I  have  said  enough.  Now  let  these  servants 
of  the  very  fiends  depart." 

Gudea  had  recovered  his  composure. 

"  Luckless  people,"  began  he,  "  it  was  none  other 


106  BELSHAZZAR 

than  the  counter  spells  muttered  by  this  Isaiah  which 
ruined  my  incantation  and  gave  victory  to  the  de 
mons.  I  accuse  him  of  black  magic  and  murder." 

But  Gudea  had  lost  all  favour  with  the  crowd.  A 
guffaw  answered  him. 

"  Ha,  scoundrel !  "  yelled  twenty,  "  do  not  cover 
your  mummery  !  "  And  Khatin  added,  "  Verily, 
friend,  if  any  murderer  needs  speech  with  me,  his 
name  is  Gudea." 

"  Out  with  him  !  "  roared  all  the  onlookers,  putting 
forth  rough  hands  on  Binit  and  her  husband. 

"  No  tumult ;  respect  the  dead  !  "  implored  Isaiah. 

"  And  my  ten  shekels  ?  "  howled  Gudea,  struggling 
in  the  clutch  of  ten  men. 

"  Let  the  crows  weigh  them  out  to  you,"  groaned 
Joram,  in  his  agony. 

"  And  may  I  not  engage  to  wail  at  the  funeral  ?  " 
pleaded  Binit,  never  setting  safety  before  business. 

"  Screech  at  your  own,"  admonished  many  at 
once. 

Khatin  joined  the  rest  in  thrusting  the  necroman 
cers  very  ungently  into  the  street. 

"  Good  people,"  said  Isaiah  to  those  yet  in  the 
court,  "  this  is  the  house  of  death.  Let  all  who  are 
needless  here  go  their  ways." 

"  You  shall  repent  this !  "  belched  Gudea,  as  they 
haled  him  away,  but  none  heeded  him. 

The  servants  drove  the  rabble  from  the  court. 
The  portals  clanged  ;  the  household  was  left  to  its 
grief.  Khatin  was  laughing  like  a  jackass. 


THE   SPELL   OF   THE   MASKIM  107 

"  Ah,  my  wise  raven  !  Ah,  my  sweetly  chirping 
sparrow  !  How  amiably  the  demons  obey  you  ! 
Pity  they  took  Saruch's  soul  with  them  when  they 
flitted  forth." 

"  The  Jew  !  the  Jew  and  his  sorceries  !  "  groaned 
the  wizard. 

The  roar  of  the  bystanders  drowned  his  protest. 
Since  most  had  with  them  a  heavy  freight  of  palm- 
wine,  they  might  have  dipped  him  in  the  Euphrates ; 
but  at  this  moment  a  squad  of  police  charged  down 
the  street  and  dispersed  them.  Gudea,  Binit,  and 
Khatin  found  themselves  thrust  into  a  side  alley. 

"  By  Nergal !  my  pot  at  Nur-Samas's  turns  sour," 
cried  the  headsman,  "  yet  not  so  sour  as  your  smile 
just  now,  dearest  brother.  That  Isaiah  is  a  pretty 
fellow  also,  if  he  is  a  Jew  !  A  fine  neck  !  Pity  I 
missed  him  the  other  day."  He  turned  on  his  heel. 
For  a  moment  Binit's  tongue  flew  so  fast  that  she 
soon  stopped  for  want  of  breath. 

"  Our  conjuring  vessels,  the  herbs,  spices,  charms, 
amulets  —  all  lost.  Sheerest  theft !  Go  to  the 
magistrate.  Seize  Joram,  Isaiah,  the  widow,  the  —  " 

"  Silence !  "  commanded  her  husband.  "  All  this 
talked  in  a  crowded  court?  Bel  forefend  !  I  could 
never  exorcise  another  demon  for  a  year.  You  are 
a  fool !  " 

"  But  did  I  not  screech  beautifully  ?  " 

"  Sweetly  as  the  king's  musicians,  my  dear  one. 
But  how  shall  we  be  avenged  on  this  Isaiah  ?  All 
Babylon  will  hear  of  this.  Woe,  woe! " 


108  BELSHAZZAB, 

"  Avil-Marduk?"  suggested  she. 

"  I  do  not  understand  you,  wife,"  quoth  the  wizard, 
his  wits  still  shaken  by  the  rude  events  of  the  hour. 

"  Are  you  become  senseless  as  a  sick  sheep  ?  "  cried 
she,  scornfully.  "  What  was  Khatin  about  to  say  at 
the  beer-house?  You  know  the  chief  priest  would 
love  nothing  so  much  as  some  ground  for  new  accu 
sations  against  the  Jews.  Go  to  him  boldly.  Accuse 
Isaiah  of  murder  by  means  of  sorceries.  Say  he 
hated  Saruch  because  he  adored  our  gods  of  Babylon. 
The  moment  your  spell  begins  to  work,  the  sick  man 
falls  dead.  Isaiah  appears  the  next  instant.  Clearest 
proof !  If  Avil-Marduk  can  be  persuaded  to  make 
your  cause  his  own,  an  accusation  supported  by  him 
will  be  true  as  an  oracle ;  though  all  the  city  might 
mock  if  you  brought  the  charge  alone." 

The  wizard's  eyes  were  shining  with  relief  and 
glee,  as  the  inspiration  came  to  him. 

"Ah  !  my  Binit,"  cried  he,  merrily,  "happy  the 
day  when  Istar  made  you  my  wife  !  Not  Ea  himself 
could  counsel  more  craftily." 

So  it  befell  that  the  wizard  wended  his  way  in  the 
cool  of  the  evening  northward  to  the  precinct  of  Bel- 
Mar  duk,  guardian  god  of  Babylon. 

The  temple  of  Bel  was  far  more  than  a  shrine 
perched  on  the  crest  of  a  ziggurat.  Its  walls,  out 
buildings,  and  priests'  houses  covered  many  "large 
acres."  It  occupied  a  site  with  the  river  on  the 
west,  the  great  "  Eastern  Canal "  to  north,  and  on 


THE   SPELL   OF   THE   MASKIM  109 

south  and  east  there  was  ready  entrance  through  the 
towering  gateways,  guarded,  like  the  king's  palace, 
by  stone  lions  and  winged  bulls.  Here  sleepy  priests 
on  watch  gave  not  a  glance  to  the  exorcist  as  he 
entered.  Once  past,  he  found  himself  in  a  broad 
court  girdled  by  a  fagade  of  lofty  pillars  glittering 
with  silver  plating  and  brilliant  enamel,  and  behind 
the  columns  all  the  walls  shone  with  brightly  glazed 
bricks.  Burnished  bronze  glistered  on  the  doors  of 
the  many  rooms,  and  Gudea  could  just  see  the  sheen 
of  jewels  inside  the  "  dark  room,"  the  great  sanctu 
ary  at  the  end  of  the  court,  where  was  guarded  the 
ark  of  Bel,  of  which  the  portal  chanced  to  be  open. 

Through  a  noisy  crowd  of  priests,  priests'  wives, 
children,  and  visitors,  Gudea  wormed  his  way  to  the 
west  side  of  the  court,  till  almost  under  the  shadow 
of  the  towering  ziggurat.  Here  he  was  halted  by  a 
serving-man  guarding  a  private  doorway. 

"Hold,  friend  !     Your  business." 

Gudea  made  a  lowly  salaam. 

"  Excellent  sir,  be  so  gracious  as  to  tell  whether 
the  high  priest,  Avil-Marduk,  my  lord  never-to-be- 
too-much-praised,  is  willing  to  listen  to  one  of  his 
slaves  who  craves  his  compassion." 

The  sentinel  put  his  hands  on  his  hips. 

"  Now,  by  Bel  himself,  are  you  a  peasant  just  from 
the  country  ?  Does  Avil  have  evenings  to  squander 
on  fish  of  your  spawn?  Shall  I  call  the  dogs  ?  " 

But  Gudea  knew  his  game.  Down  went  his  hand 
into  a  little  bag.  Up  came  a  silver  quarter  shekel. 


110  BELSHAZZAK 

"  Not  so  roughly.  I  am  an  honest  citizen,  as  expert 
a  wizard  as  you  will  find  from  Sippar  to  Erech.  If 
at  any  time  you  have  need  of  exorcising  a  demon  —  " 
here  the  silver  changed  hands,  and  the  other  replied, 
three  shades  more  affably :  — 

"  Assuredly  the  chief  priest's  time  is  not  for  all. 
Still,  I  will  endeavour  —  " 

"Tell  him  Gudea,  the  exorcist,  desires  speech  as 
to  certain  plottings  of  one  Isaiah,  betrothed  to  the 
daughter  of  the  civil-minister,  Daniel." 

The  other  vanished  and  returned  speedily.  "  The 
high  priest  will  speak  with  you,"  he  announced. 

Gudea  was  led  down  many  darkened  hallways, 
until  he  entered  a  small,  cool  room,  where  a  few 
lamps  already  twinkled,  where  the  footfalls  fell  dead 
on  heavy  carpets,  and  all  the  walls  were  bright  with 
blue  and  white  tiles  picturing  the  long-famed  combat 
of  Bel  and  the  Dragon.  There  was  very  little  fur 
niture  in  the  room  —  a  few  armless  stools,  a  low 
table  covered  with  writing  tablets.  At  the  extreme 
end  stood  a  high  arm-chair,  whereon  sat  Avil-Mar- 
duk  himself,  for  the  moment  idling  over  a  cup  of 
wine.  Old  Neriglissor,  who  had  been  invited  to 
keep  his  superior  company,  sat  at  the  right,  on  a 
chair  much  lower;  at  the  left  squatted  a  negro  boy, 
watching  the  moment  to  rise  and  refill  the  cups. 

Avil-Marduk  vouched  no  sign  of  recognition  until 
Gudea  had  come  and  knelt  before  the  high  seat. 
Then  the  pontiff  raised  his  eyes. 

"  You  say  you  are  Gudea  the  exorcist  ?  " 


THE   SPELL  <*OF   THE   MASKIM  111 

"  Yes,  noble  lord,"  and  the  wizard  still  knelt. 

"  Stand  up,  then.  State  your  errand.  You  have 
something  against  Isaiah  the  Jew  ?  " 

Gudea  bowed ;  it  was  not  well  to  risk  long  speeches 
with  the  great.  Avil  demanded  again:  — 

"Well,  do  not  waste  any  time.  What  is  the 
complaint  ?  " 

"Lord,"  came  the  reply,  "he  commits  murder." 

"  Murder  ? "  Avil  raised  his  eyebrows.  Neri- 
glissor  laid  down  his  well-beloved  wine-cup.  "  But 
why  come  to  me  ?  Am  I  the  judge  ?  Who  is  dead  ?  " 

"  Saruch,  the  rich  rope  merchant,  by  birth  a  Jew, 
a  most  pious  servant  of  the  gods,  especially  of  Bel- 
Marduk." 

"Ah,  woe!"  began  Neriglissor;  "he  gave  five 
skins  to  us  at  the  last  feast.  Excellent  wine!  Cruel 
murder  ! " 

"And  how  has  this  worthy  servant  of  Bel  been 
butchered  by  Isaiah?"  quoth  Avil,  sternly.  "Is 
justice  denied  ?  Where  is  the  magistrate  ?  Can 
assassins  stalk  scatheless  in  our  very  streets  ?  " 

"Alas,  lord  !  Isaiah  is  worse  than  those  who  slay 
with  dagger.  What  armour  can  repel  the  evil  eye, 
the  secret  incantation  ?  " 

"  Ah  !  "  Avil  dropped  his  jaw.  Gudea  felt  un 
easily  that  the  high  priest  was  very  close  to  a  smile. 
"  Well,  how  did  Saruch  die  ?  " 

Whereupon  Gudea  launched  into  a  long  and  tear 
ful  narrative  of  his  unlucky  exorcism,  and  how,  just 
as  the  "  Maskim  "  were  mounted  to  Saruch's  throat, 


112  BELSHAZZAR, 

Isaiah  appeared,  and  behold  !  the  sufferer  was  dead. 
Gudea  had  seldom  seen  or  heard  of  a  crueller  taking 
off;  and,  what  was  worse,  it  would  be  vast  encourage 
ment  to  those  stubborn  Jews  to  continue  to  worship 
their  foul  demon,  Jehovah. 

"You  bring  a  sad  tale,  my  friend,"  patronized 
Avil,  when  the  wizard  was  ended.  "  It  is  too  true 
that  in  these  days,  when  faith  in  the  gods  is  failing 
and  so  many  noble  ziggurats  are  sinking  in  ruins, 
your  noble  art  is  threatened  by  these  pestilential 
Egyptians.  Your  tale  is  but  too  common.  But  this 
Isaiah  is  no  ordinary  scoffer.  His  connection  with 
the  civil-minister  makes  him  trebly  dangerous." 

"  True,  lord  ;  and  if  a  blasphemer  like  him  is  seen 
to  go  harmless,  where  will  be  any  piety  in  Babylon  ? 
Men  serve  the  gods  through  fear  only.  They  say, 
'If  we  do  not,  trouble  hastens.'  When  one  mocks, 
yet  prospers,  the  rest  all  follow  after.  The  very 
priests  of  Bel  will  starve." 

"  Oh,  such  days  of  impiety !  "  groaned  Neriglissor. 
"  Religion  withers  like  an  unwatered  palm.  When 
I  was  a  lad,  no  man  dared  buy  a  kid  on  an  '  unfortu 
nate  day'  ;  now  —  " 

Avil  cut  him  short. 

"  You  do  well  to  be  anxious  for  the  gods,  my 
Gudea;  but  I  have  other  reasons  for  wishing  the 
end  of  these  Jews.  Not  of  Isaiah  so  much  as  of  the 
civil-minister. " 

Avil  turned  to  the  squatting  cup-bearer,  and  at  a 
motion  toward  the  door  the  servant  salaamed  and 


THE   SPELL  OF  THE   MASKIM  113 

vanished.  The  chief  priest's  eye  suddenly  fixed 
itself  on  Gudea,  and  seemed  to  go  through  him  like 
a  sharp  sword. 

"Now,  fellow,"  and  Avil's  tone  was  low,  but 
piercing  as  his  gaze,  "  are  you  a  rascal  of  discretion  ? 
Can  you  lie  piously  ?  Can  you  lift  your  hands,  bid 
ding  Marduk  and  Samas  strike  dead  if  you  are  per 
juring  ?  Have  you  the  nose  of  a  dog,  the  teeth  of  a 
cat,  and  the  stealth  of  an  adder  ?  " 

The  wizard  hung  down  his  head.  The  priest, 
with  a  single  blow,  crushed  a  fly  that  lit  on  his  palm 
and  snapped  :  — 

"  Understand,  you  are  clay  in  my  fingers.  At  my 
will  I  dash  you  out  as  this  fly.  Silence  now,  or  your 
wagging  tongue  wags  your  head  off  also." 

"Ah,  lord,"  answered  Gudea,  "Bel  forbid  I 
should  whisper  one  secret  — " 

Avil  sprang  to  his  feet  and  paced  the  room. 

"  Hark,  you  knave  !  I  see  through  you  as 
through  Phoenician  glass.  You  will  mortgage  your 
soul  for  ten  shekels,  —  say  five  rather.  If  I  take  oath 
from  you,  it  will  bind  while  your  interest  holds,  no 
longer." 

"  Alas,  your  Excellency,  enemies  blast  my  char 
acter." 

Neriglissor  raised  a  great  laugh,  crying :  — 

"  An  exorcist  of  honesty  !  Hear,  Heavens  I 
Behold,  Earth  !  Wonder  of  wonders  !  " 

But  Avil-Marduk  ceased  pacing. 

"  My  dear  wizard,"  said  he,  in  his  oiliest  manner, 


114  BELSHAZZAR 

"  I  am  infinitely  delighted  to  have  a  man  of  your 
liver  seek  me  to-night."  His  voice  fell  to  a  confi 
dential  pitch.  "  Great  things  are  afoot.  If  certain 
events  befall,"  —  he  hesitated,  —  "  Daniel  will  be 
come  a  most  undesirable  man  to  remain  in  high 
office." 

"  Ah  !  "  Gudea  dropped  his  jaw  in  turn.  Avil 
ran  on  :  — 

"If  Daniel  were  found  to  have  resorted  to 
magic  to  work  harm  to  Saruch,  whom  he  hated  for 
leaving  Jehovah  ;  if  many  witnesses  were  found  who 
could  swear  'thus  and  thus  the  civil-minister  slew 
Saruch  with  sorceries ' ;  I  say,  if  such  testimony 
were  brought  against  Daniel,  it  would  be  most  ruin 
ous  to  his  popularity.  He  might  even  be  brought 
to  pass  words  with  Khatin." 

"To  suborn  witnesses  is  costly,"  hinted  Gudea, 
rising  to  the  bait. 

"  Suborn  ?  "  cried  Avil.  "  I  did  not  speak  the 
word.  I  say,  '  If  the  evidence  were  found.'  v  And 
then,  turning  suddenly,  his  tone  lost  all  smoothness. 
"  I  will  give  you  three  manehs  this  night.  If  one 
month  from  to-day  Daniel  (Isaiah  matters  nothing) 
lies  in  the  palace  dungeon,  I  will  weigh  you  two 
talents.  If  not  —  "  The  exorcist  was  very  uneasy, 
while  Avil's  eyes  burned  through  him.  "  If  not,  if 
you  play  me  false,  if  you  fail,  I  will  blow  you  out  as 
a  lamp  !  A  nod  from  me  to  the  vizier  suffices." 

Two  talents  were  life  riches,  but  the  wizard's 
heart  was  thumping  when  he  answered,  "Lord, 


THE   SPELL  OF  THE   MASKIM  115 

lord,  I  am  a  poor  man,  my  skill  is  small.  Some 
other  —  " 

Avil  cut  him  short  again :  — 

"  No  grunting  now,  pig !  After  telling  you  this, 
did  you  expect  me  to  say :  '  Go  in  peace.  Tell  the 
story  to  all  Nana  Street '  ?  You  shall  do  as  bidden. 
When  the  evidence  is  ready,  silent  as  a  tomb  you 
come  to  me,  and  I  use  you  and  your  witnesses  in  my 
own  time  and  way." 

"  And  if  I  fail?  "  began  Gudea. 

"  Then,  by  the  king's  life,  you  fail  only  once !  No 
goad  to  a  man's  wits  like  saying,  '  Do  this,  or  visit 
Allat,  Queen  of  the  Dead.' " 

Avil-Marduk  recalled  his  servant,  and  had  the 
three  manehs  wrapped  in  a  napkin  given  to  Gudea. 
With  many  protestations  and  excuses  the  wizard 
took  his  farewell. 

"  You  risk  all  on  this  juggler,"  declared  Neriglis- 
sor  when  the  fellow  was  gone.  But  the  chief  priest 
shook  his  head. 

"  I  know  him  by  rumour  to  be  one  of  the  cleverest 
rats  in  Babylon.  He  will  have  enough  real  bricks 
to  build  his  tale  with  and  make  it  credible.  I  have 
him  utterly  in  my  power.  Should  he  confess  all  to 
Daniel,  who  would  believe  him  against  my  denial? 
He  will  not  fail." 

The  "anointer"  cast  a  shrewd  glance  at  his  su 
perior. 

"  You  are  a  man  of  many  devices.  When  did  it 
enter  your  head  to  make  use  of  this  exorcist?" 


116  BELSHAZZAK, 

"  The  moment  he  opened  his  business.  I  had  been 
casting  about  for  many  days  for  a  chance  like  this 
against  Daniel,  and  was  at  my  wit's  end." 

"  Therefore,  if  we  were  not  priests,  we  should  say, 
4  Bel  has  wondrously  favoured  us ' ;  but  since  we 
are  priests,  we  will  preserve  our  thanksgivings  —  " 

"  To  ourselves,"  interposed  Avil,  dryly ;  "  and 
now  to  the  other  part  of  my  business.  You  must 
ride  with  me  to  the  palace.  The  king  will  hold 
council  again." 

Neriglissor  grew  even  more  insinuating. 

"  My  dear  lord,  was  that  cloak,  found  in  the  shrub 
bery  after  the  assault  on  his  Majesty,  the  garment 
of  the  Persian  envoy?  " 

But  Avil  only  gave  a  great  shrug  with  his  shoul 
ders.  "  My  very  good  friend,"  answered  he,  "  there 
are  some  things  which  if  whispered  to  a  gnat  would 
put  even  my  throat  in  peril.  But  I  can  tell  you 
this :  the  subject  of  our  debate  this  day  might  prove 
wondrously  entertaining,  if  overheard  by  the  'ex 
ceedingly  noble'  Prince  Darius." 


THE  HAREM  OF  THE  KING 


CHAPTER  VIII 

ATOSSA  awoke  the  morning  after  the  feast  with 
the  same  aching  heart  she  had  carried  for 
more  than  one  weary  night  and  day.  She  had  prob 
ably  spoken  with  Darius  for  the  last  time.  He  had 
sat  beside  Belshazzar,  and  all  through  the  feast  she 
had  been  arraying  the  two  men  against  each  other, 
—  and  the  All-Seeing  knew  who  found  favour  in  her 
partial  eyes  !  But  the  deed  was  done,  and  no  human 
chance  promised  to  mend  it.  Already  Pharnaces, 
the  subordinate  envoy,  had  started  for  Susa  to  inform 
Cyrus  of  the  splendour  of  his  prospective  son-in-law. 
For  one  year  Belshazzar  could  not  actually  take 
Atossa  as  his  bride,  but  she  was  none  the  less  the 
inmate  of  his  harem.  Life  had  hitherto  been  very 
lovely  to  the  Persian  ;  the  turn  of  destiny  that  sent 
her  to  this  gilded  bondage  had  darkened  her  life 
utterly.  Love  lost,  kindred  lost,  home  lost,,  —  and 
only  half -known  pains  before  !  Small  need  to  say 
further  ;  enough  that,  as  Atossa  looked  forth  upon 
the  city  that  day,  she  saw  not  one  friendly  object 
that  made  her  sense  of  loss  less  keen. 

Early  had  come   Avil-Marduk  to  instruct  in  the 
117 


118  BELSHAZZAB 

mysteries  of  the  Babylonish  religion.  The  high 
priest,  from  whose  tongue  smooth  words  flowed  as 
readily  as  oil  from  the  oil- jar,  exerted  himself  to 
entertain  her  by  recitations  of  the  ancient  poems,  — 
how  the  hero  Gilgamesh  was  sought  in  love  by 
Istar,  and  having  dared  to  repulse  her,  was  smitten 
with  leprosy  ;  and  how  he  journeyed  to  Khasisadra, 
the  Old  Man  of  the  Sea,  and  by  him  was  healed.  Avil 
flattered  himself  that  he  declaimed  uncommonly  well, 
and  had  amused  his  pupil  not  a  little.  He  did  not 
hear  the  ill  wishes  sped  after  him,  when  he  salaamed 
himself  out  of  her  presence. 

Later  Atossa  was  taken  to  a  wing  of  the  palace, 
where  in  solitary  state  ruled  Tavat-Hasina,  daughter 
of  Nebuchadnezzar,  and  queen  of  the  deposed  Na- 
bonidus.  There  could  be  little  friendship  between 
the  royal  ladies.  Ta vat's  political  power  as  queen- 
mother  was  still  considerable  ;  but  she  saw  in  Atossa 
the  rival  who  would  in  time  strip  her  of  the  vestiges 
of  authority,  and  greeted  the  other  with  studied 
coldness.  And  Atossa  saw  merely  an  elderly  woman, 
tricked  out  with  wig  and  Egyptian  rouges,  fleshy 
through  her  inactive  life,  supercilious  and  querulous 
because  of  ennui.  Their  interview  was  as  brief  as 
the  punctilious  chamberlains  would  allow. 

The  rest  of  the  day  was  Atossa's  own  ;  the  king 
had  promised  to  visit  her,  but  she  had  small  grief 
when  affairs  of  council  prevented.  As  the  first  cool 
airs  of  the  afternoon  began  to  creep  over  the  place, 
she  was  pacing  the  roof  of  the  harem,  thoroughly  out 


THE  HAREM  OF  THE  KING  119 

of  temper  with  herself  and  all  the  world.  And  truth 
to  tell,  the  Babylonish  maids  and  eunuchs  set  to  wait 
on  her  whispered  to  themselves  that  the  new  queen 
was  no  more  gently  disposed  than  her  kingly  con 
sort,  and  it  would  be  only  the  favour  of  the  gods  that 
could  keep  them  out  of  Khatin's  clutch,  if  she  was 
always  so  unreasonable. 

Therefore  Atossa  without  difficulty  scared  them 
from  her  presence,  and  had  the  harem  roof  to  her 
self.  A  delightful  place,  she  would  have  said  in 
other  moods  :  lifted  up  above  all  the  earth,  —  only 
the  ziggurats  higher.  The  city  lay  spread  below ; 
she  could  trace  the  great  Euphrates  north  and  south, 
until  it  faded  to  a  darkling  thread  upon  the  horizon. 
The  roof  tiles  had  been  strewn  with  white  sand  and 
gravel ;  there  were  seats,  divans,  flowering  shrubs, 
and  tropical  plants  in  huge  earthen  vases,  —  a  second 
hanging  garden,  scarcely  less. 

Atossa  had  thrice  paced  the  length  of  the  long 
walk,  when  her  eye  caught  a  face  timidly  upraised 
from  the  entrance.  She  spoke  at  once, 

"  Come  up,  Masistes ;  I  did  not  command  you  to 
stay  away." 

A  gray  old  eunuch  shuffled  up  the  stairs,  and 
knelt  and  fawned  around  her  feet.  The  face  of 
Atossa  had  softened  as  she  smiled  down  on  him, 
though  her  smile  was  still  bitter. 

"  Ah  !  Dear  old  playfellow,  rise  up  !  Have  I  not 
been  your  fosterling  since  first  I  could  walk  ?  When 
at  Susa  or  Ecbatana  have  I  passed  one  day  without 


120  BELSHAZZAE, 

you  close  by  to  scold  and  grumble  over  me  ?  And 
now  that  all  other  friends  are  gone,  you  alone  are 
left ;  and  I  have  learned  to  love  none  too  many  new 
faces  here,  to  wish  to  keep  you  quite  afar." 

The  honest  fellow  thrust  his  arm  within  hers,  —  a 
familiarity  born  of  lifelong  comradeship. 

"  Ah  !  Little  mistress,  you  do  not  right  in  cry 
ing  down  this  wondrous  city.  Surely,  there  is 
naught  else  like  it  under  heaven  !  " 

"  Masistes,"  said  Atossa,  looking  upon  him  half 
playfully,  half  in  anger,  "  I  must  have  you  whipped. 
Since  coming  hither  you  have  learned  to  lie." 

"  I  lie  ?  "  he  lifted  his  hands  in  dismay.  "  Ahura, 
Lord  of  Truth,  foref end  !  " 

"  Nevertheless,"  she  answered,  laughing  now,  "  you 
speak  falsely,  praising  Babylon.  From  the  bottom 
of  your  soul  you  hate  it.  How  do  I  learn  this? 
Because  I  know  when  you  are  indifferent  to  a  thing, 
you  are  silent ;  you  like  it,  when  you  begin  to  mutter 
against  it  under  breath ;  but  if  you  love  it  exceeding 
well,  —  there  is  nothing  you  may  say  of  it  too  ill ! 
But  I  am  open,  and  I  say  to  you,  —  and  to  any 
who  wills  to  hear,  —  this  city  is  the  abode  of  dcevas : 
dcevas  are  all  its  lords,  its  priests,  its  people;  and 
Angra-Mainyu,  arch-fiend,  is  little  fiercer  than  its 
king." 

"Alas  !  lady,  such  speeches  make  no  winds  pipe 
sweeter  !  " 

"  Not  sweeter  ?  I  only  know  that  except  I  empty 
my  heart  to  some  one,  it  will  burst ;  and  I  think  no 


THE   HAREM  OF  THE   KING  121 

Egyptian  doctor  could  heal  that  with  all  his  cor 
dials  ! " 

"  Come,  little  mistress,  in  five  years  Babylon  will 
have  become  dearer  to  you  than  Susa.  What  is 
strange,  we  hate." 

"  So  has  said  Darius  ;  but  I  would  answer  this : 
When  Belshazzar  can  love  a  maid  above  a  lion,  I  will 
try  to  think  otherwise." 

"But  at  the  Gardens  last  night  was  he  not  all 
;  courtesy  and  compliment  ?  Doubtless  his  manners 
are  not  those  of  your  august  father  —  " 

"  Silence  !  "  she  commanded,  truly  wrathful  now, 
"  speak  not  of  Belshazzar  and  of  Cyrus  in  one  breath ! 
Where  is  the  king  worthy  to  sit  beside  my  father  ? 
I  say  nothing  of  his  power,  — -  but  of  his  tenderness, 
his  mercy.  And  ^Belshazzar," —  some  force  seemed 
tugging  the  name  across  her  teeth,  —  "  no  doubt  he 
can  speak  glozing  words;  but  his  heart  is  dark,  and 
under  the  softest  of  his  speeches  you  can  hear  the 
muzzled  roarings  of  the  lion." 

The  good  eunuch  began  to  whimper  in  sympathy, 
a  great  tear  on  each  cheek. 

"  Alas  !  lady,  all  is  as  you  say.  Yet  you  will  not 
curse  Cyrus  who  sent  you  ?  " 

Atossa's  eyes  were  dry  ;  she  held  her  head  up 
proudly. 

"No,  I  may  not  curse.  I  am  born  a  king's 
daughter,  —  and  therefore  a  slave,  —  a  slave  to  the 
welfare  of  my  people.  Better  that  I  should  dash 
my  wings  and  beat  out  my  little  life  against  the 


122  BELSHAZZAR 

bars  of  this  cage,  than  that  thousands  of  our  Aryan 
sword-hands  pour  out  their  blood  in  war  with 
Babylon.  I  am  but  a  maid  ;  but  I  am  wise  enough 
to  know  this,  —  king's  child  and  peasant  have  alike 
one  heart,  and  in  it  the  same  pains.  Happy  for  the 
world,  if  the  grief  of  the  first  may  spare  grief  to  the 
thousand  others  !  " 

"The  world  says,  'Let  the  thousand  suffer,  that 
the  one  may  laugh.'  " 

Atossa  threw  back  her  head  again.  "Yes  —  so 
Belshazzar  would  say,  but  not  Cyrus ;  therefore,  my 
father  is  a  great  king,  and  Ahura  prospers  him." 

"  Peace,  little  mistress,"  exhorted  the  faithful 
fellow,  tenderly ;  "  let  us  say  no  more.  Verily,  your 
heart  is  emptied  now  !  " 

They  paced  side  by  side,  measuring  the  ample 
circuit  of  the  harem  roof,  each  striving  desperately 
to  talk  on  indifferent  matters.  Presently  they 
were  both  startled  by  a  slight  scuffling  as  of  feet, 
in  one  of  the  small  courts  at  the  farther  extremity 
of  the  walk.  They  leaned  across  the  parapet,  but 
the  court  seemed  unoccupied  save  for  a  dozen  white 
doves  who  were  plashing  in  a  little  fountain,  prink 
ing  their  feathers,  and  admiring  themselves  in  the 
rippling  water.  Atossa  tossed  a  bit  of  loose  mortar 
downward  into  the  fountain.  There  was  one  whir 
of  wings,  and  the  doves  returned  to  their  stations. 
She  was  turning  away,  when,  as  if  in  answer  to  her 
missile,  a  tiny  brick  was  flung  upon  the  parapet 
beside  her.  She  looked  across  —  the  court  was  still 


THE   HAKEM  OF  THE  KING  123 

empty,  but  the  brick  was  covered  with  writing.     She 
read  these  words  :  — 

"  If  the  Lady  Atossa  is  alone  upon  the  roof  of  the  harem, 
or  with  those  she  may  trust  to  the  uttermost,  let  her  throw 
back  this  letter,  as  sign  that  I  may  mount  to  her.  Some  dan 
ger  must  be  faced,  for  the  danger  of  Prince  Darius  is  yet 
greater." 

Atossa  knew  perfectly  well  that  the  stranger  who 
penetrated  the  harem  of  the  king  ran  the  risk  of 
being  sawn  asunder.  The  consequences  to  herself  of 
a  stolen  interview  might  be  more  than  disagreeable. 
But  the  princess  was  in  no  mood  for  prudent  coun 
sels.  Masistes  had  naught  but  fears.  "  What  danger 
could  lurk  for  the  sacred  person  of  the  envoy  ?  An 
insolent  interloper  !  Summon  help,  and  give  alarm 
at  once." 

She  .would  have  nothing  of  his  caution.  None 
could  overlook  the  harem  roof.  The  others  had  been 
bidden  to  keep  below  stairs ;  a  shout  could  bring 
aid  if  there  was  the  least  need.  "  Danger  to  Darius  " 
whispered  by  a  flitting  breeze  would  have  made  her 
open  to  far  more  desperate  recourses.  With  a  heavy 
heart  Masistes  saw  her  fling  the  brick  down  beside 
the  fountain. 

A  moment  of  waiting,  and  forth  from  the  shadow 
of  the  wall,  directly  under  Atossa's  station,  appeared 
a  young  man,  with  a  companion  in  the  armour  of  a 
guardsman.  The  first  stranger,  without  word  or 
hesitancy,  swung  himself  upon  the  thick-stemmed 
vine  that  twisted  upward  to  the  parapet  from  the 


124  BELSHAZZAB, 

court  below,  — no  easy  feat ;  but  he  clambered  upward 
with  an  agility  worthy  of  Darius  himself,  and  landed 
beside  the  lady  almost  before  she  realized  he  had 
commenced  ascending.  Once  mounted,  he  shot 
about  a  single  glance  in  search  of  some  unfriendly 
eye,  then  stared  abruptly  upon  Masistes. 

"  Is  this  eunuch  trustworthy  ?  "  he  demanded,  with 
no  courtlier  greeting. 

"  He  will  die  for  me  ;  is  that  sufficient  ? "  an 
swered  Atossa,  still  wondering,  and  almost  off  her 
guard. 

"  So  the  Lord  God  grant!  "  The  newcomer  glided 
behind  a  wide  tamarisk  bush  that  cut  off  view  from 
any  mounting  the  stairs.  "  And  the  others  below  are 
quiet  ?  "  he  pressed. 

"They  will  only  come  when  I  summon  them." 

He  leaned  across  the  parapet,  saying  something 
softly  to  his  companion.  Atossa  did  not  know  the 
language,  but  imagined  it  Hebrew.  When  he 
turned  to  her  again,  she  saw  he  was  a  powerful, 
handsome  young  man,  with  a  manner  of  speech  not 
unlike  that  of  Darius. 

"  Lady,"  said  he  in  Chaldee,  "doubtless  you  know 
me  not.  You  were  in  the  closed  carriage  when  his 
Highness  the  prince  saved  Ruth,  my  betrothed, 
from  the  king's  lion.  Prince  Darius  deigns  to  call 
himself  my  friend  ;  last  night  in  some  slight  measure 
I  repaid  the  debt  I  owe.  To-day  I  strive  to  pay 
more,  but  I  need  your  aid." 

"  Good    sir,"   spoke   Atossa,   her    dignity   rising, 


THE  HAREM  OF  THE  KING  125 

and  cautious  at  last,  "he  who  is  Prince  Darius's 
friend  is  mine;  but  I  know  neither  your  name 
nor  race.  At  best  your  errand  here  is  a  strange 
one." 

The  young  man  took  one  step  nearer  Atossa. 

"  Lady,  are  you  so  fond,  concerning  Belshazzar, 
that  you  seek  many  tokens  to  vouch  for  him  who 
declares  himself  the  foe  of  the  king  and  the  well- 
wisher  of  Darius  ?  " 

Atossa  became  yet  haughtier.  "  Belshazzar  is  my 
betrothed  husband.  Will  you  revile  him  to  my 
face  ?  Am  I  not  mistress  in  this  palace  ?  " 

A  nod  from  her  would  have  sent  Masistes  to  sum 
mon  help  ;  but  without  premonition  the  newcomer 
held  out  his  finger,  showing  a  ring  —  on  the  beryl 
seal  a  swordsman  was  stabbing  a  lioness. 

"  When  last  did  your  Highness  see  this  ?  "  he  de 
manded,  very  quietly. 

44  It  was  on  Darius's  finger  at  the  feast  last  night." 
And  even  Masistes,  as  he  looked,  stifled  the  cry  that 
was  on  his  tongue. 

"  Know,  O  Lady  Atossa,"  went  on  the  stranger, 
"that  Darius,  son  of  Hystaspes,  gave  me  this  ring, 
after  the  feast,  in  token  of  sure  and  abiding  friend 
ship.  Will  you  hear  me  now,  wherefore  I  would 
speak  with  you  ?  " 

"I  will  hear,"  answered  she,  almost  faintly,  and 
there  was  no  colour  in  her  cheek.  But  as  she  spoke 
a  voice  sounded  from  the  hall  below,  and  the  young 
man  shrank  behind  his  tamarisk. 


126  BELSHAZZAK 

"Gracious  princess,  condescend  to  honour  your 
slaves  by  coming  down  to  the  luncheon,  which  is 
ready." 

Atossa  sprang  to  the  stairway. 

"  Have  I  not  bidden  you  magpies  keep  silence  ? 
Do  I  not  know  when  I  hunger  ?  Begone,  or  — " 

Retreating  footsteps  told  that  the  menials  had  not 
waited  for  her  threat.  She  turned  to  the  stranger, 
and  faced  him  fairly. 

"Sir,"  she  said  directly,  "I  will  believe  you  are 
Darius's  friend.  Say  on." 

Now  what  Isaiah  told  of  the  adventure  of  Darius 
with  the  king  in  the  Hanging  Gardens  we  will  not 
here  repeat.  When  he  had  finished,  when  Atossa 
knew  the  height  and  the  depth  of  the  Babylonians' 
guile,  the  Jew  looked  for  a  scene  of  terrible  agony. 
He  did  not  know  the  royal  strength  of  the  daughter 
of  Cyrus.  Her  white  cheeks  grew  yet  whiter,  but 
her  only  answer  was,  "  Yet  though  I  know  all  this, 
what  profit  ?  Am  I  not  prisoner  here  ?  I  shall  see 
Darius  again,  at  a  time  only  Ahura  the  Merciful 
knoweth.  By  your  own  mouth  the  prince  is  safe 
and  free." 

"  He  is  free,  but  not  safe." 

"  Not  safe  ?  Belshazzar  will  put  forth  his  hands 
against  the  sacred  person  of  an  envoy  ?  I  cannot 
believe  this  guile,  —  I  will  not !  "  Atossa  flushed  as  in 
the  anger  of  despair.  "  The  king  may  swear  a  thou 
sand  oaths,  as  you  say,  and  keep  none  ;  but  to  murder 
an  ambassador  were  a  deed  which  Marduk  and 


THE  HAREM  OF  THE  KING  127 

Ramman,  his  own  foul  gods,  would  reward  with  swift 
vengeance  ! " 

44 Lady,"  said  the  Hebrew,  gently,  "whether  Mar- 
duk  and  Ramman  may  requite  or  not,  Avil-Marduk 
is  the  physician  who  can  mingle  drugs  to  soothe 
the  king's  conscience.  Since  morning  those  who 
brought  me  the  earlier  warnings  have  borne  me  this : 
The  king  and  his  council  have  pondered  long  over 
the  ownership  of  the  Median  cloak  torn  from  the 
shoulders  of  the  wrestler  in  the  gardens.  They  have 
suspicions,  —  suspicions  only ;  but  if  they  seem  well 
grounded,  Avil  and  Belshazzar  are  not  prone  to  stickle 
at  trifles  with  such  a  stake." 

"  Jew,"  Atossa  spoke  slowly  and  calmly,  "  tell  me, 
in  what  way  is  the  prince  to  be  attacked  ?  Answer 
truly,  as  we  Persians  and  your  people  call  on  one 
truth-loving  God." 

Isaiah's  answer  was  given  in  so  low  a  tone  that 
Masistes  heard  none  of  it.  When  he  finished,  Atossa 
asked  aloud. 

"  And  why  do  you  not  go  to  the  prince  yourself  ? 
Why  bring  all  this  to  me  ?  " 

Isaiah  smiled  bitterly.  "  Already  a  net  of  spies  is 
spread  around  Darius.  This  morning  I  found  I  was 
more  than  suspected.  An  attempt  to  meet  the  prince 
would  have  been  the  signal  for  my  arrest.  But 
Zerubbabel,  my  good  friend,  stood  sentry  at  the  harem 
gate,  and  suffered  me  to  pass.  He  guards  below. 
The  harem  is  accounted  so  inviolable,  that  in  mere 
security  it  is  less  watched.  Though  you  may  not  see 


128  BELSHAZZAB, 

Darius,  have  you  no  Persian  servant  who  can  be 
trusted  to  warn  ?  Who  dreams  that  you  are  to  be 
guarded  against  ?  " 

"  Behold  the  messenger  !  "  interposed  Atossa,  turn 
ing  half  playfully  to  Masistes. 

Before  Isaiah  could  answer  there  were  steps  again 
on  the  staircase,  and  there  thrust  itself  into  view  of 
the  fulsome  smile  of  Mermaza. 

"  Samas  pity  me  !  "  smirked  that  notable,  "  the 
'  supereminently  admirable '  lady  alone  on  the 
harem  roof  with  only  two  under-eunuchs  for  com 
pany  !  Verily,  she  may  well  cry  out  against  the 
palace  that  supplies  no  more  agreeable  companion 
ship  ! "  " 

"  Two  eunuchs  ?  "  answered  she,  facing  him  with 
cold  dignity,  and  moving  directly  before  the  tama 
risk,  —  "  two  ?  I  trust  I  grow  blind,  for  by  all  gods, 
Persian  and  Babylonish,  if  there  is  another  of  that 
breed  here,  saving  Masistes,  he  comes  against  my 
express  command.  And  I  will  teach  these  well-fed 
underlings  of  yours  that  Cyrus's  daughter  may  fall 
in  love  with  their  heads  !  " 

Mermaza  cast  his  eyes  about,  winked,  and  replied 
suavely,  that  "  he  had  thought  he  saw  the  forms  of 
two  persons  near  her,  but  was  deceived.  Only 
Masistes  was  present.  The  'blindness-demon'  had 
begun  to  plague  his  sight.  Only  he  fell  at  his  lady's 
incomparably  beautiful  feet,  and  besought  that  she 
would  not  forbid  him  her  presence." 

Atossa   moved   slowly   away   from   the  tamarisk, 


THE  HAKEM  OF  THE  KING  129 

keeping  herself  carefully  betwixt  it  and  Mermaza. 
"  My  excellent  sir,"  quoth  she,  taking  care  never  to 
lose  the  chamberlain's  eye,  "  I  am  most  delighted  to 
have  you  here.  Masistes  has  been  telling  a  wondrous 
tale.  This  morning  he  was  crossing  a  court,  when 
behold  !  his  hair  rose  in  cold  fright,  for  a  groom  was 
leading  a  great  lion  past  him,  by  no  stouter  tether 
than  a  hound's  leash ;  yet  the  beast  seemed  gentle  as 
a  little  dog.  Surely,  the  cowardly  rascal  was  merely 
affrighted  by  some  monstrous  mastiff  ?  " 

Atossa  saw  the  worthy  dart  one  sidling  glance  of 
keenest  scrutiny  upon  her,  but  she  endured  it. 

"My  sweet  mistress,"  said  Mermaza,  speaking 
more  halting  than  was  his  wont,  "  Masistes  brings 
only  truth.  You  have  not  seen,  then,  the  king's  tame 
lions?" 

"  Assuredly  not."  Atossa  led  the  chamberlain  to 
the  opposite  parapet,  and  gazed  across,  seemingly 
enraptured  by  the  panorama  of  the  city.  In  his 
anxiety  to  seem  interested  he  never  looked  behind, 
where  her  keener  ears  detected  the  crackling  branches 
as  of  one  descending. 

"Then,"  smiled  he,  "we  have  a  new  wonder  to 
show  you.  As  soon  as  the  king  returns  from  the 
hunt  we  will  bring  the  lions  into  the  harem  ;  you 
will  find  them  harmless  as  cats,  and  vastly  more 
entertaining." 

"  Why  not  to-morrow  ?  Does  the  king  use  them  for 
hunting  ?  " 

"  They  are  better  than  hounds.     To-morrow  his 


130  BELSHAZZAE 

Majesty  takes  our  dear  friend  the  '  worshipful '  envoy 
to  his  game  preserves.  The  gods  grant,"  he  con 
tinued  piously,  "  that  no  wild  beast  harm  the  prince ! 
c  Prudence,'  I  fear,  is  not  a  Persian  word.  He  is  all 
rashness." 

Atossa  deliberately  led  him  back  to  the  other  end 
of  the  walk.  The  refuge  behind  the  tamarisk  was 
empty,  and  so  was  the  little  court  below. 

"  I  have  strolled  here  long,"  asserted  she  suddenly  ; 
"  even  the  view  of  the  city  grows  wearisome.  Let 
me  go  down  to  the  luncheon." 

Mermaza  was  not  pleased  to  have  her  end  the 
promenade,  yet  perforce  consented.  But  when 
Atossa's  petulance  had  chased  the  frightened  maids 
from  her  chamber,  it  was  to  have  a  moment  alone 
with  Masistes,  and  to  put  in  his  hand  a  written  slip 
of  papyrus. 

Later  in  the  evening  he  was  back,  and  a  nod  told 
her  that  the  message  had  been  safely  delivered.  But 
Atossa  slept  little  that  night.  Once  the  eunuch  who 
kept  her  door  thought  he  heard  some  one  within 
speaking,  and  entered  unbidden  lest  there  be  an 
intruder.  His  mistress  did  not  see  him,  for  she  was 
kneeling  beside  her  bed,  and  praying  softly  in  her 
Persian  tongue.  Before  the  fellow  tiptoed  away  he 
noticed  that  ever  and  anon  she  would  shake  with 
sobbing. 

"  Marvel,"  he  grunted  to  himself,  "  the  '  Lady  of 
Sumer  and  Akkad '  is  weeping  !  What  can  such 
as  she  have  to  move  to  tears  ?  " 


THE  KING  OF  THE  BOW 


CHAPTER  IX 

DARIUS  the  envoy  had  been  assigned  a  spacious 
suite  of  rooms  in  the  old  palace  of  Nebuchad 
nezzar  ;  he  had  his  own  guards,  his  own  retinue  of 
Persian  body-servants.  The  prince's  private  cham 
ber  was  a  high  vaulted  room,  elegantly  tiled,  with 
little  windows  pierced  in  the  arching  roof.  During 
the  heat  of  the  day  the  serving  lads  sprinkled  the 
brick  floor  with  water,  and,  as  this  evaporated,  there 
arose  a  cool  and  refreshing  vapour.  All  that  after 
noon  the  prince  had  kept  to  his  chamber,  and  ap 
peared  to  be  in  even  less  of  a  merry  mood  than  had 
been  his  wont  lately.  Boges,  who  kept  the  door, 
was  whispering  to  Ariaeus  the  chamberlain  that  their 
master  must  have  been  mightily  disturbed  over  the 
murderous  attack  on  the  king  during  the  feast  in  the 
Grardens. 

"  As  Ahura  lives  !  "  protested  the  worthy,  "  there 
is  somewhat  on  his  lordship's  mind.  He  has  kept 
company  with  his  writing  tablets  all  day." 

And  it  was  indeed  so  ;  for  though  the  scribe's  art 
was  not  commonly  among  the  accomplishments  of  an 
Aryan  nobleman,  Darius  had  long  since  mastered  it, 

131 


132  BELSHAZZAK 

and  now  for  a  long  time  he  had  sat  with  his  clay 
frame  in  his  lap  and  his  stylus  in  hand.  Boges  had 
ventured  once  the  question :  — 

"And  does  my  prince  require  me  to  send  Arta- 
banus  to  copy  down  the  despatches  to  Susa  ?  " 

"  I  do  not,"  came  the  answer,  so  curt  that  Boges 
risked  nothing  more. 

Presently  Darius  rose  from  his  stool,  and  turned 
to  the  doorkeeper. 

"  The  time  grows  late,"  said  he ;  "  the  city  gates 
will  soon  be  shut.  Yet  no  messenger  has  come  from 
Cyrus?  from  Susa?" 

"  None,  master ;  we  have  heard  that  the  Elamite 
mountain  tribes  are  restless  and  stop  couriers." 

"  Couriers  of  Cyrus  ?  Do  they  so  desire  to  be 
made  jackal's  meat  that  they  must  stop  the  Great 
King's  despatches?  No,  no,  Boges  —  the  Elamites 
are  not  the  delayers." 

"  Who  if  not  they,  lord?  " 

"  I  do  not  know,"  was  the  answer,  in  a  tone  that 
made  the  servant  sure  his  superior  had  lively  sus 
picions. 

"  And  will  my  lord  dress  for  the  supper  Bilsandan 
the  vizier  gives  to-night  ?  "  asked  Ariseus  the  cham 
berlain,  smoothly. 

"  Another  feast !  Angra-Mainyu,  arch  fiend,  con 
found  them  !  "  fumed  Darius ;  "  these  Babylonians 
boast  many  gods.  In  truth  they  have  but  two — the 
mouth  and  the  belly.  Praised  be  Mithra,  the  king  goes 
hunting  to-morrow,  which  will  give  some  respite  1  " 


THE  KING  OF  THE  BOW  133 

But  just  as  the  prince  was  about  to  let  Ariaeus 
lead  him  away  to  the  bath,  his  eye  lit  on  a  new 
comer  among  the  knot  of  attendants  by  the  door. 
His  tone  changed  to  that  of  good-natured  banter,  for 
he  saw  his  favourite  body-servant,  a  sharp-tongued, 
keen-witted  Persian  of  about  his  own  age. 

"  Ha,  Ariathes !  So  you  have  been  roaming  about 
the  city  once  more.  Tell  me,  is  there  one  beer 
house  in  all  Babylon  you  left  un visited?  Where  did 
you  find  the  most  heady  liquor?  " 

"My  lord  wrongs  his  slave,"  quoth  the  fellow, 
demurely.  "  See  !  I  am  quite  sober." 

"By  Ahura,  that  is  true.  Surely  the  throne  of 
Cyrus  must  totter,  now  a  marvel  like  this  can 
befall!" 

"  My  prince,"  answered  Ariathes,  very  respect 
fully,  "I  have  heard  something  that  made  me  in 
no  mood  for  palm- wine.  And  I  think  my  lord 
should  hear  it  also."  There  was  something  in  the 
rascal's  eye  that  made  Darius  bid  all  the  others 
stand  back,  while  he  led  Ariathes  to  the  upper 
end  of  the  chamber,  after  drawing  close  the  door- 
curtain. 

"Well,  fellow,"  began  he  lightly,  "your  tales  are 
commonly  of  witching  black  eyes  and  the  bottoms  of 
deep  wine  pots.  What  now  —  a  strapping  lass  slapped 
you  ?  "  But  Ariathes  did  not  smile  at  the  sally. 

"  My  lord,"  he  said,  "  I  have  quite  another  story. 
Does  the  prince  remember  Igas-Ramman,  the  captain 
who  flogged  the  old  Jew?  " 


134  BELSHAZZAR 

"  Assuredly.  I  curse  myself  I  did  not  require  his 
head." 

"I  have  hatched  a  great  friendship  with  him. 
He  has  been  taking  me  about  the  city.  To-day  we 
went  to  the  temple  and  grove  of  Istar,  and  the  girls 
who  serve  the  goddess  brought  wine  enough  to  make 
us  stagger  till  the  great  day.  But  it  was  too  sweet 
for  me,  and  I  took  little ;  though  Igas  would  never 
cease  pulling  at  his  beaker.  At  last,  when  he  seemed 
well  filled,  he  led  me  to  the  summit  of  the  great 
temple  tower  to  have  a  sight  of  the  wide  city. 
The  tower  stands  by  the  northern  wall,  where  Ai- 
bur-shabou  Street  passes  through  the  Gate  of  Istar, 
close  by  the  canal.  There  is  a  marvellous  view 
to  all  sides ;  but  what  made  me  wonder  most  was  the 
sight  of  many  squadrons  of  horsemen  drilling  in  the 
open  country  before  the  Gate  of  Bel  —  ten  thousand 
lances,  to  my  thinking." 

"  Ha !  "  and  Darius's  jaw  dropped  involuntarily. 

"  My  lord  is  interested  ?     Shall  I  go  on  ?  " 

"  Yes,  by  every  archangel !  " 

"  I  said  to  Igas,  '  Brother,  what  are  all  these  horse 
men  ?  Your  king  is  at  peace.  To  maintain  so  many 
cavalry  will  make  his  treasury  as  empty  as  a  leaky 
water-skin.'  Thereupon  he  began  to  laugh,  then, 
clapping  his  hand  across  my  eyes,  he  cried,  'Ah, 
my  dear  Persian,  your  sight  is  too  keen!  Ask 
no  troublesome  questions,  for  friendship's  sake. 
Come,  let  us  go  back  to  the  maids  and  the 


wine,'" 


THE   KING   OF  THE   BOW  135 

"  And  you  followed  him  ?  "  asked  Darius. 

"  Yes,  lord ;  but  not  until  I  had  counted  the  num 
ber  of  the  squadrons  and  seen  that  chariot  brigades 
were  drilling  with  them." 

"But  why  should  Igas  try  to  conceal  this  from 
you?  Belshazzar  is  a  great  king.  We  all  know 
Babylon  has  a  powerful  garrison  ever  on  duty." 

"True;  but  let  my  lord  take  what  my  bucket 
drew  up  from  Igas-Ramman's  well.  He  began  by 
vowing  he  would  peril  his  head  if  he  chirped  once 
about  the  army  of  his  master ;  then  straightway  all 
this  comes  out  —  the  garrison  of  Babylon  is  being 
increased,  extra  chariots  are  being  built,  and  war 
horses  collected.  The  troops  in  Eridhu  and  Larsam 
are  being  sent  north  to  strengthen  the  frontier  posts 
of  Sippar  and  Kutha.  There  is  a  great  gang  of  la 
bourers  at  work  enclosing  Borsippa  within  the  outer 
defences  of  Babylon.  Finally,  the  militia  of  the 
country  districts  are  being  armed." 

"  For  what  enemy  ?  " 

"  My  lord  can  guess  better  than  I.  When  I  pressed 
Igas  on  this  point,  he  only  laughed  and  brayed  ten 
fold  louder  than  common ;  but  he  had  become 
very  drunken,  and  before  long  fell  over  upon  the 
bricks." 

The  prince  was  frowning  darkly. 

"Ariathes,"  said  he,  "you  are  a  man  of  nimble 
wit.  Do  you  think  Belshazzar  is  sincere  in  seeking 
peace  with  Cyrus  ?  " 

The  other  smiled  grimly. 


136  BELSHAZZAR 

"  I  am  only  my  lord's  slave.  Who  am  I  to  meddle 
in  the  affairs  of  princes  ?  " 

"  Well,  you  have  a  throat  that  will  cut  as  quickly 
as  any  man's ;  and  know  this  well,  if  you  walk  in 
the  steps  of  Igas-Ramman  and  chatter  loud  enough, 
you  will  forswear  palm-wine  forever." 

Ariathes  grinned  and  was  about  to  salaam  before 
withdrawing,  but  the  prince  spoke  again.  "Look 
you ;  we  have  been  for  days  in  Babylon,  yet  no 
courier  comes  from  Susa  with  despatches.  What 
does  it  mean  ?  " 

"  Have  I  not  said  I  am  blind  to  affairs  of  state  ?  " 

"  Then  receive  sight ;  for,  as  you  love  me  and  as 
you  love  Cyrus,  you  need  two  wide-open  eyes,  as 
well  as  a  ruly  tongue.  Cast  about  and  find  some 
means  of  sending  a  letter  from  Babylon  without 
Belshazzar  or  Avil-Marduk  smelling  it.  My  last 
messenger  travelled  openly.  Do  you  understand  ?  " 

Ariathes  replied  with  a  low  bow.  Darius  returned 
to  his  seat,  took  his  writing  tablet,  and  deliberately 
mutilated  the  letter  just  completed.  In  its  stead  he 
stamped  a  very  brief  message,  which  he  did  not 
place  in  the  chest  by  the  wall,  but  wrapped  in  linen 
and  hid  in  his  own  bosom ;  for  an  uneasy  suspicion 
was  beginning  to  haunt  him  that  the  very  pictures 
enamelled  on  the  bricks  could  see  all  that  befell  in 
this  palace  of  Belshazzar. 

"  It  grows  late,  my  lord,"  admonished  the  cham 
berlain,  after  a  discreet  interval;  "will  you  go  to 
the  vizier's  feast  ?  " 


THE  KING   OF  THE   BOW  137 

"  I  will  go,"  replied  the  master,  testily,  and  he  suf 
fered  the  servants  to  dress  him. 

As  he  went  to  the  palace  court  to  take  chariot,  the 
inevitable  multitude  of  palace  servants  and  guards 
men  crowded  around,  bowing  and  scraping.  The 
press  was  so  dense  that  the  staff-bearers  had  no  little 
ado  before  clearing  the  way.  Suddenly,  out  of  the 
crowd,  Darius  recognized  a  familiar  face  —  the  old 
eunuch,  Masistes.  The  two  were  side  by  side  only 
for  an  instant. 

"  Your  lady  is  well  ?  "  demanded  Darius,  eagerly. 

"She  is  well,"  was  the  cautious  answer,  "but  do 
not  seem  to  speak  to  me.  Read  this  in  secret.  It 
is  from  her." 

Masistes  was  swallowed  in  the  throng  before 
Darius  had  time  to  startle. 

"The  chariots  are  ready,  my  lord,"  Boges  was 
shouting. 

The  prince  felt  something  like  a  tiny  roll  of 
papyrus  thrust  up  his  sleeve;  but  he  curbed  his 
curiosity  and  guarded  it  carefully  until  he  was  back 
at  his  own  chamber  that  night.  Then  with  all  pre 
caution  he  read  this  note,  written  in  Atossa's  own 
hand,  in  their  native  Persian :  — 


"  Atossa,  consort  of  Belshazzar,  to  the  great  prince  Darius. 
Many  things  hid  to  the  world  without  are  revealed  in  the  king's 
harem.  Do  not  seek  to  know  how  I  learn  this  thing,  but  wait 
Ahura's  good  time.  Beware  of  the  royal  hunt  on  the  morrow. 
Of  all  things  beware  of  the  king's  tame  lions.  For  you  they 
may  not  be  so  tame.  As  you  love  me,  return  to  Susa  when  you 


138  BELSHAZZAB, 

may,  and  forget  my  name,  as  I  pray  Ahura  I  may  forget  yours. 
I  dare  write  no  more.  Masistes'  craft  will  bring  you  this. 
Farewell." 

Darius  sat  a  long  time  over  this  letter,  though  it 
was  past  midnight  and  he  must  be  up  with  the 
dawn.  Ariathes  had  just  reported  that  he  had 
intrusted  his  master's  second  despatch  to  an  obscure 
Jewish  caravan  merchant,  who  swore  by  his  God  that 
he  would  deliver  it  to  the  commandant  of  Cyrus's 
nearest  garrison.  If  the  messenger  proved  faithful, 
and  eluded  the  watch,  the  king  of  the  Aryans  and 
his  council  would  be  soon  learning  wisdom.  But 
what  part  was  left  to  be  played  by  Darius  ?  Clearly 
the  plot  was  thickening.  For  some  reason,  mani 
festly,  Belshazzar  desired  him  anywhere  but  in 
Babylon.  Was  he  suspected  of  being  the  eaves 
dropper  upon  the  king?  Should  he  plead  some 
excuse  and  refuse  to  go  on  the  hunting?  Should 
he  humour  Belshazzar's  wishes  by  hardly  disguised 
flight  ?  The  prince  was  a  proud  man  —  proud  of  his 
race,  his  king,  his  own  prowess.  The  battle  spirit 
was  rising  in  him.  Was  he  not  "  King  of  the  Bow"  ? 
Should  he  desert  Atossa  and  leave  her  in  the  harem 
of  Belshazzar  without  one  friend  in  all  Babylon,  sav 
ing  the  eunuch  Masistes?  The  prince,  we  repeat, 
loved  to  dare  first,  and  count  the  cost  thereof  after 
ward.  And  that  night  he  vowed  afresh,  "I  will 
brave  all  danger.  With  Ahura's  help  I  will  not 
turn  back  the  width  of  one  hair  before  the  guile  of 
these  '  lovers  of  the  lie.' " 


THE   KING   OF   THE   BOW  139 

Long  before  dawn,  Idina-aha,  master  of  the 
hounds,  had  emptied  his  kennels  of  the  fifty  black 
mastiffs  who  were  to  accompany  the  royal  hunt ; 
and  at  gray  dawn  itself  Darius  met  Belshazzar  in 
the  central  palace  court.  A  score  of  trained  game 
beaters  were  mounted  and  ready;  and  what  with 
the  escort  of  dog  boys,  guardsmen,  and  eunuchs,  the 
chariots,  the  lead  horses,  and  the  long  mule  train 
with  the  baggage,  Belshazzar  drove  forth  with  no 
little  army.  The  monarch  had  appeared  in  the  best 
of  spirits ;  had  looked  Darius  fairly  in  the  eye  when 
he  told  the  Persian  that  they  intended  to  hunt  the 
auroch  —  the  wild  bull  —  whom  no  dog  could  face  ; 
and  that  on  this  account  he  had  with  him  his  pride 
—  his  three  hunting  lions,  to  whom  even  the  wild 
bull  could  have  no  terrors.  When  Darius  saw  the 
brutes,  huge  as  the  beast  that  he  had  slain  so  mem 
orably,  he  had  indeed  marvelled,  though  not  after 
the  manner  Belshazzar  imagined ;  and  the  king 
laughingly  vowed  to  him,  that  if  the  Persian  should 
be  so  fortunate  as  to  slay  an  auroch,  he  should  have 
his  choice  of  which  of  the  lions  he  should  take  back 
to  Susa,  excepting  always  "  Nergal,"  the  royal  favour 
ite,  whom  his  master  could  not  spare. 

So  they  set  forth,  Belshazzar  with  seemingly  one 
end  in  the  world  —  to  make  his  fellow-huntsman 
merry.  They  passed  the  great  Western  Gate,  and 
sped  through  the  pleasant  suburbs,  past  luxuriant 
gardens,  prosperous  farmhouses,  and  innumerable 
canals  fringed  with  long  arbours  of  trees.  Now  and 


140  BELSHAZZAK, 

then  they  saw  countrymen  dragging  their  hand-carts 
of  kitchen  produce  to  early  market,  two  or  three 
tugging  together.  As  they  halted  to  water  beside 
a  little  village  of  dome-roofed  hiits  Darius  saw  the 
peasants  ploughing  in  the  fields,  with  the  usual  team 
—  a  mule  and  a  cow  —  and  heard  the  ploughing 
song,  already  thousands  of  years  old :  — 

"  A  heifer  am  I, 
To  the  mule  I  am  yoked. 
Where,  where  is  the  cart  ? 
Go  look  in  the  grass  ; 
It  is  high,  it  is  high ! " 

Fields  of  wheat,  barley,  and  millet  waved  far  and 
near.  Darius  grew  weary  counting  the  prosperous 
landed  estates  and  thriving  villages.  Truly  Hanno 
the  Phoenician  spoke  well,  the  wealth  of  the  country 
of  Babylon  was  beyond  that  of  the  mine.  The  corn 
lands  and  the  thrifty  peasants  had  made  possible 
Imgur-Bel  and  Belshazzar's  kingly  glory. 

But  at  last  the  farms  were  falling  wider  apart. 
The  canals  were  dwindling.  The  land  where  un- 
tilled  was  brilliant  with  spring  flowers,  and  the  wind 
crossing  the  plain  came  to  the  travellers  sweet  with 
all  the  fragrance  of  the  unscorched  verdure.  The 
company  kept  on  until,  beside  the  last  of  the  narrow 
ing  canals,  the  king  cried,  "  Halt  ! "  and  the  weary 
footmen  were  glad  to  drop  by  the  roadside,  beside 
the  panting  dogs.  Then  the  panniers  on  the  carrier 
mules  were  unloaded,  wine  was  passed  about,  and 


THE  KING   OF  THE    BOW  141 

food.  The  noon  hours  were  spent  in  rest  and 
chatter. 

Darius  had  gazed  about  him  curiously. 

"  So  far,  and  no  signs  of  jungle  ?  Only  the  open 
plain." 

Belshazzar  gave  his  usual  answer  —  a  laugh. 
"  This  is  not  your  mountainous  Iran.  Other  gods 
created  Chaldea.  Years  ago  there  lay  a  broad  stag 
nant  lake  beyond  yonder  rising,  nestled  in  a  deep 
hollow  in  the  plain.  The  kings  drained  and  enclosed 
it,  planted  trees,  and  stocked  it  with  game.  Here 
are  still  found  the  wild  bulls  —  the  aurochs  —  left 
nowhere  in  all  Babylonia  saving  here.  To  kill  one 
was  the  glory  of  the  kings  of  old.  The  preserve  is 
many  furlongs  on  each  side.  The  beasts  run  wild, 
and  are  fierce  as  in  the  virgin  forest." 

"  Ahura  grant  we  meet  them  !  " 

The  prince  had  spoken  so  naturally  that  Belshaz 
zar  darted  one  glance  at  him  —  arrow-swift.  But  it 
sped  quickly  as  it  came,  and  Darius  added  :  — 

"  Yet  must  you  hunt  the  bull  with  lions  ?  " 

"  After  you  have  once  faced  an  auroch  you  will 
not  marvel  that  only  the  king  of  beasts  dare  bay 
him." 

When  Belshazzar  had  remounted  the  chariot,  the 
whole  company  were  away  ;  and  once  past  the  hil 
lock,  Darius  wondered  as  he  saw  a  sweep  of  wood 
land,  trees  and  thickets,  stretching  north  and  south 
far  as  the  eye  might  reach,  the  whole  enclosed  by  a 
brick  rampart  too  high  for  the  bound  of  the  hardiest 


142  BELSHAZZAR 

lion.  Merely  to  enclose  so  huge  an  area  was  a  task 
nigh  equal  to  building  the  temple-tower  of  Bel.  At 
a  ponderous  gate  they  found  a  company  of  soldiers, 
who  opened  and  saluted.  Instantly  the  forest 
closed  round  them.  Meadow  lands  and  farms  were 
lost  from  view.  It  was  like  traversing  one  furlong, 
yet  in  that  journey  entering  another  world.  The 
paths  were  leaf -strewn  and  scarcely  trodden.  The 
cypresses  and  cedars  bowed  in  canopy  overhead,  and 
with  them  rarer  trees,  native  doubtless  of  India  or 
Ethiopia,  but  here  long  grown  wild.  There  were 
acacias  beside  the  meandering  streams,  and  tamarisk 
thickets.  The  woods  grew  wilder  the  deeper  they 
penetrated. 

"  And  how  old  is  this  strange  forest  ?  "  demanded 
the  Persian  of  his  Babylonish  charioteer,  at  which 
the  fellow  answered  :  — 

"  Esarhaddon  drained  and  fenced  it  more  than  a 
hundred  and  twenty  years  ago.  Since  then  it  grows 
wild.  Except  for  the  guards  and  gamekeepers  no 
man  enters  the  preserve  on  peril  of  his  head,  unless 
the  roving  lions  get  before  the  executioner." 

The  words  were  broken  short  by  the  rush  of  a 
frighted  creature.  "  Whir  !  "  quicker  than  the  tell 
ing  a  wild  ass  had  sped  across  their  path  :  one  sight 
of  his  shining  gray  coat  —  the  leaves  closed  after 
him.  Belshazzar  forbade  the  eager  grooms  to  un 
leash  the  dogs. 

"  No  hound  can  run  down  an  ass,  and  the  game 
we  seek  is  fiercer." 


THE  KING   OF  THE  BOW  143 

So  they  fared  onward  till,  in  a  clearing,  they  came 
to  the  huts  of  two  old  foresters,  who,  after  thanking 
the  gods  for  suffering  his  Majesty  and  his  noble 
guest  to  deign  to  visit  their  forest,  reported  that 
they  had  just  discovered  an  auroch  of  most  marvel 
lous  size. 

"  Marduk  grants,"  ran  their  tales,  "  that  the  beast 
should  be  a  monster  terrible  as  the  ;  divine  bull  Alu ' 
slain  by  the  hero  Gilgamesh.  To-night  he  is  deep 
in  the  jungle  ;  but  if  the  gods  favour,  his  Majesty 
shall  find  him  in  the  morning." 

Thus  the  camp  was  pitched  for  the  night.  Busy 
hands  brought  bales  of  linen  and  tent  poles  from 
the  pack  train.  The  royal  tent  —  a  huge  ten-sided 
structure  —  was  soon  ready,  its  dome-shaped  roof 
stretched  above,  arid  within  was  arranged  a  complete 
set  of  portable  furniture,  including  the  ivory  throne 
mounted  on  wheels,  which  a  mule  had  tugged  all  the 
way  from  Babylon.  Scarce  smaller  was  the  pavilion 
set  for  Darius,  who  had  brought  his  own  Persian 
servants  with  him.  Around  them  the  tents  for  men 
and  horses  spread  like  a  little  village.  At  night 
the  king  set  abundant  cheer  and  fare  before  his 
guest,  but  there  was  no  deep  drinking,  for  sober 
heads  were  needed  in  the  morning.  Darius  bade 
Boges  discover  how  and  where  the  tame  lions  were 
kept,  and  the  good  fellow  reported  that  they  were 
safely  chained  and  guarded  in  a  distant  tent.  The 
prince  contrived  that  no  Babylonian  should  sleep 
inside  his  own  pavilion.  He  kept  his  bow  strung 


144  BELSHAZZAR 

and  his  naked  sword  beside  him,  but  nothing  dis 
turbed  till  he  woke  in  the  morning. 

The  foresters  had  been  out  very  early.  They  had 
tracked  the  auroch  and  laid  a  hound  on  him,  but  he 
had  distanced  them  and  had  hidden  in  the  inner 
most  jungle.  Already  half  of  the  huntsmen  had  set 
forth  to  make  circuit,  rout  the  monster  from  his  lair, 
and  drive  him  nearer  the  encampment.  After  the 
king  had  poured  libations  to  Marduk  and  Istar  he 
mounted  horseback  and  thundered  away,  the  prince 
and  the  remaining  huntsmen  flying  behind  him. 

"  And  where  are  the  tamed  lions  ? "  demanded 
Darius  of  a  Babylonian  riding  at  his  side. 

"They  were  taken  away  before  dawn  to  aid  in 
baying  the  auroch.  Doubtless  they  are  on  him  now. 
Hark  !  By  Nabu,  they  have  found  him  !  " 

Through  the  mazes  of  the  wood  reechoed  some 
thing  deep  as  thunder,  though  seemingly  very  far  off. 

"  Ha  !  "  Belshazzar  was  crying,  "  the  ox  is  bellow 
ing.  They  are  driving  him  from  his  covert." 

"Will  they  force  him  this  way?"  was  Darius's 
question. 

"  So  Bel  grant !  But  you  will  need  no  bow,  son 
of  Hystaspes,"  for  the  Persian  was  putting  on  a  new 
string.  "  The  auroch's  hide  is  arrow-proof.  Trust 
to  your  short  sword." 

"  I  do  not  love  the  sword.  It  is  the  bow  of  Iran 
that  has  made  us  Persians  a  great  people.  It  will 
not  fail  I  " 


THE  KING  OF  THE   BOW  145 

"  I  have  warned  you.  You  will  slay  no  auroch 
and  win  no  lion." 

The  prince  answered  with  silence.  Riding  side 
by  side  with  Belshazzar,  he  had  not  suffered  a  word 
or  an  act  of  the  king  to  escape  him  ;  but  he  had  not 
noted  how  their  escort  in  the  rear  had  gradually 
dwindled,  two  falling  off  here  and  three  there. 

"  This  is  the  spot.  Let  us  rein  and  wait  the  au 
roch,"  declared  Belshazzar.  Darius  glanced  about, 
barely  in  time  to  see  the  last  of  the  retinue  vanish 
ing  behind  the  trees.  He  realized,  suddenly  as  a 
trap  locks  round  its  victim,  that  he  was  alone  with 
Belshazzar  ;  not  one  telltale  presence  to  carry  report 
of  any  strange  deed  that  might  befall.  He  had  bid 
den  Boges  to  keep  near  him.  Gone  —  diverted  by 
what  means,  Ahura  the  Wise  alone  knew.  The 
prince  had  many  times  looked  "  the  Lord  of  Death  " 
in  the  face  upon  the  battle-field  —  what  soldier  of 
Cyrus  had  not  ?  But  for  all  that  his  breath  came 
quickly,  his  muscles  grew  rigid.  Here  at  last  was 
the  moment  that  should  prove  whether  Atossa 
warned  truly,  whether  the  king  suspected  who  it 
was  that  had  wrestled  with  him  in  the  garden.  Had 
the  letter  Ariathes  had  sent  passed  through  Belshaz- 
zar's  spies  and  guards  in  safety  ?  The  Persian 
needed  none  to  tell  him  the  details  of  the  plot  to 
take  his  life.  Somehow,  in  the  next  few  moments 
he  was  to  be  murdered.  His  rashness  as  a  hunter 
was  known  in  Susa.  What  could  Cyrus  say  if 
the  Babylonian  wrote,  "  Your  envoy  was  reckless 


146  BELSHAZZAK 

and  an  auroch  killed  him  "  ?  But  Darius's  thoughts 
were  not  of  himself  only  —  the  weal  of  Daniel,  of 
Atossa,  of  Cyrus  and  all  his  realms,  hung  on  his  own 
life,  perchance.  Oh,  the  headstrong  pride  and  folly 
that  had  rushed  him  into  this  hazard  ! 

But  these  thoughts  came  and  went  in  less  time 
uhan  the  telling.  Belshazzar  was  beside  him,  —  Bel- 
shazzar,  splendid,  arrogant,  —  and  Darius  knew  the 
king's  heart  was  harder  than  hardest  marble,  while 
he  waited  the  outcome  of  his  guile.  The  Persian 
had  his  bow  in  his  hand,  and  his  bow  was  his  good 
friend,  part  of  himself  as  much  as  hand  or  eye.  He 
would  not  be  slain  like  a  snared  hare  while  there 
were  so  many  keen  shafts  in  his  quiver.  The  silence 
seemed  growing  long.  Belshazzar,  as  if  intent  on 
waiting  the  chase,  said  nothing.  Not  even  a  breeze 
was  rustling  the  tree-tops.  The  prince  sat  and 
waited. 

Presently  the  auroch  lowed  again,  nearer  this 
time,  and  they  could  hear  the  distant  shouts  of  men 
and  the  deep  baying  of  the  mastiffs.  The  scene  was 
no  strange  one  to  Darius,  but  when  before  had  he 
himself  been  one  of  the  hunted  ?  A  thought  flashed 
across  him  —  to  point  his  arrow  at  Belshazzar,  bid 
the  king  swear  to  send  him  home  scatheless,  or  take 
the  shaft  in  his  breast.  But  that  were  madness. 
Belshazzar  had  sworn  once  and  cast  his  oath  to  the 
winds;  would  he  remember  it  now,  if  wrung  from 
him  by  force  ?  The  Babylonian  must  be  the  first  to 
strike. 


THE   KING   OF  THE   BOW  147 

A  new  thunder  through  the  wood  shook  Darius 
from  his  despair.  The  bolt  had  not  fallen.  Ahura 
grant  it  should  not  until  he  had  taught  these  Baby 
lonian  "  fiend-worshippers  "  somewhat.  He  turned 
to  Belshazzar. 

"  Why  do  you  wait  here  ?  Is  not  the  hunt  leaving 
us?" 

"  What  do  you  fear  ?  "  was  the  reply,  with  a  smile 
none  too  reassuring.  "The  sport  is  for  us  alone. 
The  rest  will  bring  the  game  to  us.  Fie  on  you, 
Persian,  if  you  fear  to  be  overmatched  !  " 

"  Not  overmatched  by  ten  aurochs  !  "  cried  the 
Persian,  looking  fairly  in  the  king's  eye.  "But 
will  not  the  chase  pass  some  other  way  ?  " 

"  The  game  I  seek"  flew  the  answer,  "  will  pass 
nowhere  else." 

Darius's  fingers  itched  to  send  one  arrow  through 
that  royal  mantle  then,  and  let  all  Babylon  do  its 
worst.  Suddenly  it  dawned  on  him  that  if  he  were 
tensely  strung,  the  king  was  likewise.  While  he 
ever  questioned,  "  How  will  the  bolt  fall  ?  "  Bel- 
shazzar's  one  thought  was,  "How  much  does  the 
envoy  suspect  ?  "  They  each  would  have  given  a 
hundred  talents  for  one  peep  into  the  heart  of  the 
other.  The  thought  appeared  so  comical  to  the 
prince  that,  to  Belshazzar's  wonderment,  he  began  to 
laugh ;  and  that  laugh  refreshed  him  and  strength 
ened  him  like  a  draught  of  new  wine. 

"  Crash  !  "  A  vast  lumbering  object  was  dashing 
through  the  trees.  They  heard  thickets  shivering ; 


148  BELSHAZZAR 

birds  flew  screaming  from  their  nests.  The  noise 
neared  rapidly.  Again  the  thunderous  bellow  — 
close  now,  and  deep.  The  ground  shook  with  the 
thunder,  and  an  answering  quiver  ran  through  the 
Persian.  Peril  or  no  peril,  he  had  never  before 
faced  an  auroch,  and  his  hunter's  instinct  was  strong 
within  him. 

Belshazzar's  horse  pricked  his  ears,  snorted,  and 
began  to  rear  and  plunge.  The  king  barely  con 
trolled  him.  The  Persian's  beast  started  to  do  like 
wise,  but  felt  the  touch  and  press  of  an  iron  hand 
and  iron  knees  so  powerful  that  all  the  spirit  was 
crushed  out  of  him.  Not  so  with  Belshazzar. 

"  Marduk  blast  me,"  rang  his  curse,  "  if  I  do  not 
flay  Rabit  for  giving  me  this  beast !  "  But  the  horse 
only  plunged  more  wildly. 

One  last  thunder  !  Darius  saw  the  saplings  bow 
ing,  the  leaves  shook  down  as  a  falling  cloud  ;  out 
from  betwixt  the  trees  shot  a  beast  the  like  of  which 
the  prince  had  never  beheld  before.  A  bull,  but  a 
bull  of  monster  size  —  his  horns  the  span  of  a  bow, 
his  hide  mud-brown  ;  out  of  his  mouth,  and  with 
the  lolling  red  tongue,  one  almost  saw  the  live 
flames  breathing,  with  more  flame  in  the  huge  balls 
of  his  eyes.  To  see  this  took  one  instant.  The 
auroch  crashed  on  until  face  to  face  with  the  two 
riders,  then  halted  in  his  shambling  run  not  twenty 
paces  from  them,  dropped  his  horns,  and  lashed  his 
flanks  with  his  tail.  Darius  wondered  no  more  that 
mastiffs  did  not  love  to  bring  him  to  bay. 


THE  KING  OF   THE   BOW  149 

The  Persian's  arrow  lay  on  the  bowstring,  but  he 
did  not  shoot.  All  the  trembling  had  gone  out  of 
him.  As  if  by  a  new  sense,  he  knew  that  there  was 
something  stirring,  creeping,  in  the  thicket  behind 
him.  Did  his  ears  fail  when  they  heard  a  human 
whisper,  low,  but  distinct — a  whisper  as  of  a  man 
urging  on  his  hound  —  "  Now  !  " 

Darius  did  not  turn  his  head.  His  horse,  subdued 
by  his  master  touch,  stood  stock  still,  while  the  bull 
glared  at  them.  But  Belshazzar  was  in  deadly 
straits.  Try  as  he  might,  his  beast  would  not 
stand  steady,  and,  with  the  horse  plunging  under 
neath  him,  what  chance  to  strike  the  bull  with  the 
short  sword?  The  king's  face  turned  livid  as  he 
struggled. 

"  Shoot !  "  he  cried,  between  his  teeth  ;  "  shoot !  " 

Darius's  hand  drew  the  arrow  to  its  head.  The 
auroch  shook  his  horns,  bellowed  for  the  last  time, 
and  looked  from  Darius  to  Belshazzar,  from  Belshaz 
zar  to  Darius.  Which  should  feel  his  charge  ?  The 
bull  fixed  his  eyes  on  the  king,  gave  a  snort,  a 
bound. 

"  Shoot !  "  cried  Belshazzar  again.  As  if  in  echo 
came  a  voice  out  of  the  thicket,  "  Back,  Nergal ! 
Woe !  The  king  !  Do  not  leap  !  Too  late  ! 
Woe  ! " 

And  Darius  swung  himself  in  the  saddle  just  in 
time  to  see  the  tawny  body  of  Nergal,  the  royal 
lion,  launching  itself  —  not  on  the  auroch,  but  on 
him.  The  arrow  flew  to  meet  the  lion.  It  was 


150  BELSHAZZAR, 

Ahura  the  Great  who  shed  on  Darius  the  power  that 
sent  the  startled  charger  with  a  wide  bound  to  one 
side  by  the  mighty  press  of  a  knee.  The  lion 
leaped.  His  flying  claws  tore  the  leather  on  the 
Persian's  sleeve.  A  mighty  snarl — the  beast  dashed 
upon  the  turf.  The  saving  of  Ruth  had  been  no 
shot  like  this.  The  deed  was  done  too  swiftly  for 
thought  or  fear,  while  all  around  the  woods  were 
ringing  with  a  fiercer  conflict.  The  auroch  had 
sought  his  prey  the  moment  Nergal  had  leaped  on 
his.  The  king  had  striven  desperately  to  master  his 
steed,  but  vainly.  The  monster  caught  the  horse 
under  his  horns  and  tossed  mount  and  rider  in  the 
air.  Halting  in  full  charge,  he  shook  his  great 
head  and  looked  about.  The  horse  was  disembow 
elled  —  dying.  The  king,  cast  upon  the  green 
sward,  was  struggling  to  rise.  He  had  lost  his 
sword.  The  auroch  lowered  his  head  again.  Still 
a  foe  ?  He  would  trample  it  out  instantly  ! 

"  Help,  in  Marduk's  name,  help  ! "  the  king  was 
calling. 

Out  from  the  thicket  whence  sprang  the  lion  sped 
a  man,  Idina,  master  of  the  hounds,  and  leaped  be 
side  Belshazzar.  A  brave  deed,  but  foolish.  In  his 
hand  was  only  his  whip  of  office. 

"Help!  the  king  is  in  peril  !"  was  his  shout  to 
the  distant  beaters.  But  Belshazzar  might  have 
fared  to  the  "  World-Mountain  "  that  day  had  it  not 
been  for  another.  Right  at  the  raging  bull  rode 
the  Persian,  and  a  second  shaft  flew,  not  at  the 


THE   KING  OF   THE   BOW  151 

arrow-proof  hide,  but  into  one  flaming  eye.  The 
loudest  bellow  of  all  shook  the  forest  when  the  mon 
ster  charged  Darius.  All  the  Persian's  skill  could 
not  save  his  horse.  One  horn  hooked  in  the  belly 
—  the  scream  of  a  dying  charger,  that  was  all.  But 
Darius  was  on  foot  before  the  bull  could  turn  from 
his  triumph.  His  short  sword  was  in  his  hand. 
He  met  the  charge  of  the  bull  on  the  side  where 
the  shaft  had  blinded.  Belshazzar  saw  him  shun 
the  sweep  of  the  terrible  horns,  and  the  onrush 
of  the  bull  drove  the  steel  clean  to  the  hilt  in  the 
shoulder.  Another  snort,  a  bellow  that  made  the 
high  boughs  quiver,  and  the  auroch  tore  away. 
They  heard  him  dash  down  a  small  tree  in  his 
charge,  a  second,  a  third  ;  then  there  was  a  crashing 
fall,  and  silence. 

Darius  stood  staring  about  and  leaning  on  his 
bow.  Nergal,  pierced  to  the  heart,  lay  twitching, 
though  life  was  fled.  The  horses  were  struggling 
in  their  last  agony.  Belshazzar  was  trying  to  stag 
ger  to  his  feet.  How  long  it  had  seemed  since  the 
bull  burst  upon  them  ! 

King  and  envoy  looked  upon  one  another.  Darius 
saw  Belshazzar  strive  twice  to  speak,  but  the  words 
thickened  in  his  throat.  Then  the  king's  eye  lit  on 
Idina,  and  the  royal  wrath  blew  out  on  him  :  — 

"  Verily,  as  I  am  lord  of  Babylon,  you  shall  be 
impaled  !  Why  not  rescue  sooner  ?  " 

"  Lord,"  replied  the  other,  losing  his  wits  as  he 
trembled,  "  it  was  as  you  ordered.  When  the  prince 


152  BELSHAZZAR 

was  confronting  the  auroch,  I  was  to  unleash 
Nergal  —  " 

The  words  were  like  fire  upon  dry  straw ;  for 
the  king  had  forgotten  all  else  in  the  thought  of  his 
own  danger. 

"  Nergal  ?  By  the  Maskim,  what  is  lying  there  on 
the  ground  ?  A  lion  ?  " 

"Yes,  your  Majesty,"  said  Darius,  very  coldly. 
"  When  Idina  unleashed  him,  while  they  stood  be 
hind  me  in  the  thicket,  he  forgot  the  auroch  to 
spring  at  me.  His  claws  have  torn  my  dress.  I 
prefer  the  auroch,  my  king.  He,  at  least,  charges 
fairly  and  face  to  face." 

The  king  did  not  risk  himself  to  reply  to  Darius, 
but,  turning  to  Idina,  declared  icily  :  "  Fellow,  for 
your  cursed  folly  this  day,  I  swear  by  every  god  of 
Babylon,  you  shall  be  beaten  to  death."  Then  to 
Darius,  in  a  tone  equally  icy :  "  Persian,  you  have 
saved  my  life.  Ask  what  reward  you  will." 

"  I  ask  nothing,"  replied  the  other,  haughtily, 
"  nothing  but  this  —  to  meet  no  more  of  the  king's 
tamed  lions." 

Before  Belshazzar  could  answer,  the  foresters  and 
beaters  were  all  around  them.  The  king  and  envoy 
spoke  not  a  word  to  each  other,  while  the  gaping 
hunters  cried  out  at  the  hugeness  of  the  slain 
auroch,  and  loudly  lamented  their  master's  mis 
fortune.  There  were  more  wailings  over  the  dead 
lion. 

"The  king's  trust  in  these  beasts  is  misplaced," 


THE  KING  OF  THE   BOW  153 

commented  Darius,  dryly  ;  "  Nergal  was  no  less  dan 
gerous  than  the  auroch." 

The  Babylonians  who  were  wise  looked  at  one 
another  slyly.  The  Persians  following  Darius  soon 
arrived  at  a  tearing  gallop,  cursing  a  forester  who 
had  said  he  was  leading  them  close  behind  the 
prince,  but  only  brought  them  to  a  halt  in  a  matted 
jungle. 

Belshazzar  had  to  be  lifted,  and  carried  back  to 
the  tents.  His  ankle  was  hurt,  not  dangerously, 
but  for  the  while  he  could  enjoy  no  more  hunting. 
He  seemed  in  no  slight  pain,  and  his  body-servants 
were  rejoiced  when  he  contented  himself  with  order 
ing  Idina's  tongue  to  be  cut  out,  before  the  luckless 
"  master  of  the  hounds "  was  flogged  to  death,  and 
did  not  command  the  execution  of  any  others. 

Between  Belshazzar  and  Darius  there  did  not 
pass  one  syllable  for  a  very  long  time.  A  messen 
ger  had  come  post-haste  from  Babylon.  "  Urgent 
despatches,"  he  announced,  "from  the  chief  priest 
to  his  Majesty."  That  afternoon,  accordingly,  after 
Idina  had  passed  beyond  the  reach  of  the  royal 
wrath,  the  whole  company  returned  with  speed  to 
the  capital. 


CHAPTER  X 

DANIEL  the  civil-minister  had  been  arrested 
on  the  charge  of  committing  murder  by  sor 
cery.  All  Babylon  had  rung  with  the  news.  Even 
though  the  accusers  were  vouched  for  by  Avil- 
Marduk  himself,  the  city  had  received  the  tale  with 
indignant  incredulity.  When  Sirusur  went  with  a 
"  hundred "  of  lancers  to  make  the  arrest,  the 
burghers  would  have  rescued  the  prisoner  by  sheer 
force,  had  not  Daniel  leaned  from  the  chariot  in 
which  they  were  bearing  him  to  the  palace,  and 
entreated  the  citizens  to  shed  no  blood.  Even  those 
closest  to  the  king  shook  their  heads,  and  expressed 
the  hope  that  no  ill  would  brew  from  the  high  priest's 
doings. 

But  Daniel  had  spent  the  night  in  the  palace 
guard-house,  and  the  rage  of  the  city  folk  had  in 
a  measure  subsided.  Nevertheless,  when  the  doors 
were  thrown  open  to  the  "  Hall  of  Judgment,"  the 
wand-bearers  had  no  slight  ado  to  control  the  multi 
tudes  that  pressed  for  entrance.  There  on  the  ivory 
throne  sat  Belshazzar,  in  the  robes  of  state,  splendid 
as  on  the  night  of  the  feast  in  the  Hanging  Gardens ; 

154 


BEL  ACCUSES  155 

behind  the  king  stood  the  parasol  bearer  and  the  fan 
bearers ;  at  his  right  hand,  in  his  white  mantle  of 
office,  was  the  high  justiciar  of  the  realm  ;  on  his  left, 
in  resplendent  scarlet  livery,  was  Khatin,  statuesque, 
impassive,  save  as  at  rare  intervals  he  stole  a  sly 
glance  at  the  ponderous  naked  sword  at  his  side. 
On  the  three  broad  steps  of  the  throne  were  arrayed 
the  royal  officials,  each  in  due  order  of  precedence, 
they  likewise  in  glittering  array ;  down  the  walls  the 
sunlight  flashed  on  the  enamelled  pictures,  the  great 
cedar  beams  of  the  ceiling  shone  with  their  gilding. 
The  pathway  to  the  foot  of  the  throne  was  marked 
by  a  costly  rug.  If  Daniel  was  to  be  tried,  it  was 
not  to  be  without  due  state ! 

As  the  old  Jew  entered,  escorted  by  Bilsandan 
the  vizier,  there  had  occurred  something  that  made 
Avil-Marduk,  as  he  stood  at  the  accuser's  station 
before  the  king's  right  hand,  swell  with  hidden 
rage.  Of  all  the  huge  company  that  thronged 
the  lower  hall,  scarce  a  head  failed  to  bow  in 
salutation  to  Daniel;  and  not  a  few  were  bold 
enough  to  shout  a  "  Heaven  prosper  you !  "  after 
him.  "  Silence  !  or  I  clear  the  hall !  "  Belshazzar 
ordered  angrily,  and  the  noise  ceased;  but  there 
was  no  need  to  tell  on  which  side  was  arrayed 
the  people. 

Unmoved  by  all,  Daniel,  ushered  by  the  vizier, 
advanced  to  the  foot  of  the  throne,  and  there,  as 
etiquette  demanded,  remained  kneeling,  until,  after 
long  silence,  a  barely  perceptible  nod  from  Bel- 


156  BELSHAZZAB, 

shazzar  told  him  to  rise.  Bilsandan  salaamed,  and 
stepped  beside  the  justiciar,  at  the  right  of  the  king, 
leaving  Daniel  confronting  the  monarch. 

More  silence,  and  then  Belshazzar  began  abruptly  : 

"  Daniel,  otherwise  named  Belteshazzar,  answer : 
Did  you,  or  did  you  not,  commit  murder  of  late,  by 
spells  and  witchcraft?  " 

The  Jew,  who  seemed  as  composed  as  the  king 
himself,  in  the  face  of  that  peering  company, 
answered  mildly,  but  without  the  least  hesitation, 
"that  if  his  Majesty  pleased,  he  would  not  plead 
until  his  accusers  had  stated  their  charges." 

"  And  if  I  do  not  please  ?  "  demanded  the  king, 
ominously. 

"Then,  your  Majesty,  I  shall  be  constrained  to 
recite  to  you  the  law,  honoured  by  all  your  royal 
predecessors  since  its  decreeing  by  Khammurabi, 
two  thousand  years  ago,  '  Let  no  man  be  condemned, 
except  he  be  first  accused,  and  his  guilt  proven  out 
of  the  mouths  of  two  unperjured  witnesses.' '" 

"  Have  a  care,  Jew !  have  a  care  !  "  warned  Bel 
shazzar  ;  "  it  ill  becomes  a  leopard  of  your  spots  to 
teach  the  law  to  the  king  of  Babylon." 

"  I  ask  only  justice,  your  Majesty." 

"  And,  by  Bel,  you  shall  have  it !  "  swore  the  king. 
"  Advance,  Avil,  and  produce  your  witnesses  !  " 

The  high  priest  appeared  before  the  throne,  at  his 
back  three  men  and  a  woman,  who  bowed  them 
selves  most  awkwardly  in  the  presence  of  royalty. 

"The  wise  Gudea,"  muttered  Khatin  in  his  beard, 


BEL  ACCUSES  157 

"  and  Binit  his  dear  wife  have  scarcely  learned 
courtly  graces  at  the  beer-house  of  Nur-Samas." 

But,  leaving  his  myrmidons  to  gape  around  the 
hall,  Avil  commenced  a  fiery  invective.  If  his 
arguments  were  faulty,  his  epithets  were  strong. 
Daniel,  the  most  impudent  blasphemer  of  Bel  in 
all  Babylon,  had,  he  explained,  at  last  carried  his 
impiety  so  far  as  to  accomplish  the  death  of  the  most 
excellent  Saruch,  simply  because  the  latter  forsook 
his  impotent  Jewish  demon,  Jehovah.  If  the  king 
failed  to  punish  the  murderer,  the  outraged  gods 
would  haste  to  blast  Babylon  with  fire  and  brim 
stone. 

"Do  you  still  deny  the  accusation?"  questioned 
Belshazzar,  when  Avil  concluded,  and  the  Jew,  all 
unmoved  by  the  fierce  harangue,  answered  steadily, 
"  Utterly,  my  lord ;  my  whole  life  lived  in  this  city 
denies  it." 

"  Present,  then,  your  witnesses,"  commanded  Bel 
shazzar  of  Avil,  who  proceeded  to  hale  Gudea  to  the 
front,  with  a  muttered  injunction  in  his  ear  to  "  tell 
a  well-welded  story,  or  the  fc  Earth-Fiends '  would 
have  him  by  night !  " 

Therefore  the  exorcist,  with  smooth  countenance 
and  glib  tongue,  rattled  off  the  tale  of  the  death  of 
Saruch,  adding  that  if  the  man  did  not  meet  his  end 
by  foul  enchantment,  he  was  willing  to  bare  his  back 
for  a  thousand  stripes. 

Khatin  had  rolled  his  eyes  more  than  once  during 
this  recital,  and  did  so  again  when  Binit  was  thrust 


158  BELSHAZZAR 

forward  after  her  husband.  The  good  woman's 
examination  was  the  more  brief  because  the  lardy 
ointment  she  had  smeared  on  her  hair  was  so 
pungent  that  even  the  king  could  hardly  regard 
her  steadily.  She  avowed  that  early  on  the  day 
of  the  alleged  murder  she  had  sold  a  quantity  of 
magic  wood  and  magic  wax  to  two  men  whom  she 
identified  as  the  remaining  pair  of  witnesses.  There 
was  an  audible  titter  when  she  ended. 

"Will  you  cross-examine  these  witnesses?"  asked 
the  justiciar  of  Daniel. 

"  My  lord,"  the  prisoner  smiled  quietly,  "  I  can 
ask  these  worthy  people  -many  things,  but  since 
neither  have  connected  me  in  the  least  with  the 
death  of  Saruch,  I  will  only  reserve  my  right  to 
examine  them  later." 

"  Come  forward,  then,  Tabni,"  commanded  Avil, 
confidently ;  "  tell  the  king  the  rest  of  the  story, 
that  he  may  see  how  the  testimony  of  the  most  pious 
Gudea  tends  to  convict  the  accused." 

A  more  partial  judge  than  Belshazzar,  even,  might 
well  have  looked  askance  at  the  personage  who  now 
faced  Daniel.  A  squalid  dress,  an  unkempt  beard, 
and  a  single  eye  with  a  most  snakelike  twinkle,  made 
it  difficult  for  Khatin  to  swallow  his  guffaw.  Avil 
examined  his  witness  sharply,  and  Tabni  answered 
with  the  readiness  of  a  well-drilled  pupil.  He  was 
a  "  charmer,"  of  a  profession  akin  to  Gudea's,  only  he 
made  the  spells  which  the  other  counteracted.  He 
would  supply  good  crops,  profitable  investments,  or 


BEL  ACCUSES  159 

successful  love-making  as  promptly  and  cheaply  as 
any  in  the  city.  On  the  day  of  Saruch's  death, 
Daniel  had  summoned  him  very  early,  and  told  him 
he  needed  his  services  to  "  wither  "  a  mortal  enemy. 
Tabni  had  hesitated,  and  Daniel  raised  the  fee. 
Therefore,  as  the  witness  put  it,  since  it  seemed  a 
mere  "  overcasting,"  with  no  impiety  involved,  he 
consented,  for  business  had  been  slack  of  late,  and 
one  must  live.  He  had  gone  with  Daniel's  servant 
Shaphat  to  buy  the  needful  conjuring  material  of 
Binit.  Then  Daniel  took  him,  in  company  with 
Shaphat,  into  a  secret  chamber.  They  made  a 
waxen  image ;  named  it  Saruch ;  thrust  three  red- 
hot  needles  through  it ;  and  Tabni  had  pronounced 
the  infallible  spell  over  it,  — 

"  We  entwine  you  with  ropes, 
We  catch  you  in  a  cage, 
We  twist  you  in  a  sling, 
We  drown  you  in  filthy  water, 
We  fling  you  down  from  a  high  wall." 

That  afternoon  Tabni  heard  that  Saruch  was  dead. 
He  had  reflected,  and  became  convinced  that  he  had 
been  privy  to  a  fearful  deed.  His  conscience  had 
troubled  him,  and  he  had  conferred  with  Gudea,  who 
advised  him  to  make  a  public  confession. 

"  And  will  you  examine  this  man  also  ?  "  asked  the 
justiciar  again,  to  which  Daniel,  still  composedly, 
made  answer,  "May  your  lordship  first  deign  to 
hear  the  other  witness." 

"It  is   your  right,"  responded  the  justiciar;    to 


160  BELSHAZZAE, 

which  Belshazzar  added  viciously,  "  I  have  sworn  it, 
you  shall  have  full  justice,  Jew;  but  take  notice, 
your  guilt  is  established  out  of  the  mouth  of  one 
witness.  Let  a  second  swear  to  his  tale,  and  the 
case  is  proved.  I  give  you  this  opportunity.  Con 
fess  now,  and  I  will  see  if  I  can  relax  the  just 
penalty  of  the  law." 

"  I  demand  the  other  accuser,"  answered  Daniel, 
almost  haughtily ;  and  Belshazzar  nodded  to  Avil. 

"  Shaphat,  former  servant  of  Daniel,  advance  !  " 
commanded  Avil,  peremptorily. 

And  now  there  was  a  rustle  and  a  flutter  in  the 
hall  indeed.  "  One  of  the  minister's  servants  will 
betray  him,  —  and  one  who  is  a  Jew,  at  that !  "  ran 
the  whisper,  while  an  ill-favoured  young  man  was 
thrust  before  the  king.  But  all  men  noticed  that 
the  fellow  hung  down  his  head,  and  would  not  look 
the  prisoner  in  the  eye.  Avil's  voice  was  very 
stern. 

"  Now,  Shaphat,  you  have  heard  all  that  the  pious 
4  charmer '  Tabni  has  said.  Tell  the  king :  Were 
you  not  a  Jewish  servant  in  the  house  of  Daniel, 
and  did  you  not  quit  his  service  because  you  grew 
to  love  the  gods  of  Babylon,  while  he  worshipped 
his  demon  Jehovah  and  gave  himself  over  to  vile 
sorceries?  " 

The  witness  nodded,  very  faintly. 

"  You  were  with  Tabni  when  he  bought  the  magi 
cian's  material  from  Binit  ?  " 

"Yes,"  —  the  word  barely  audible. 


BEL  ACCUSES  161 

"  You  were  with  him  at  the  making  of  the  waxen 
image  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  —  the  word  came  still  fainter. 

"  Now  is  it  not  your  oath,  taken  in  the  name  both 
of  the  gods  of  Babylon  and  of  Judea,  that  Daniel 
pronounced  the  name  of  Saruch  above  the  waxen 
image  ?  " 

But  at  this  instant  the  witness  raised  his  head, 
and  Daniel  looked  him  in  the  face.  They  saw 
Shaphat's  countenance  working  in  agony  ;  the 
words  were  choking  in  his  throat :  "  I  cannot !  I 
cannot !  "  That  was  all  they  could  understand. 

"Cannot  what,  knave?"  demanded  the  king, 
fiercely.  But  the  wretched  fellow  had  cast  himself 
before  Daniel,  and  embraced  his  knees. 

"  O  master  !  master  !  "  he  groaned,  "  I  cannot  lie 
before  your  face.  'I  was  dismissed  justly  for  my 
thieving,  and  only  in  your  mercy  did  you  spare  me 
prison.  You  are  guiltless;  Tabni's  tale  is  all  per 
jury  :  I  never  saw  him  ;  never  saw  Binit ;  you  never 
had  the  *  charmer '  in  your  house.  Alas !  that  I 
listened  to  Gudea,  and  took  his  money  — " 

"  Silence,  hound  !  "  shouted  Avil,  flinging  dignity 
to  every  wind,  and  catching  the  luckless  witness  by 
the  scruff  ;  "  would  you  be  cut  into  sandal-leather  ?  " 

But  a  fearful  din  was  rising  from  the  company. 
Not  only  the  city  folk,  but  the  courtiers,  were  thun 
dering  :  "  Innocent !  Innocent  !  Away  with  the  false 
witnesses  !  " 

"  Silence  !  "  commanded  the  king,  his  countenance 


162  BELSHAZZAR 

darkening.  "  What  is  this,  Avil  ?  What  is  this  wit 
ness  saying  ?  " 

"Your  Majesty,"  answered  Avil,  barely  heard  in 
the  tumult,  "you  see  with  your  own  eyes  that 
Daniel  is  a  sorcerer.  While  Shaphat  came  forward, 
he  muttered  magic  spells  to  force  him  to  utter  false 
hood  !  " 

The  efforts  of  the  wand-bearers  had  restored  still 
ness.  Belshazzar's  frown  was  still  very  black  when 
he  addressed  the  prisoner. 

"  That  the  accused  has  dealing  with  demons,  who 
come  to  his  aid,  should  be  manifest  to  all  men. 
Speak,  Daniel ;  even  now  I  give  you  chance  to  show 
wherefore  you  should  not  die  the  death." 

"  I  stand  upon  the  law,  your  Majesty."  The  Jew 
seemed  the  soberest  mortal  in  all  that  excited  com 
pany.  "  My  past  life  should  be  a  defence  against 
the  slanders  of  this  Tabni ;  and  the  king  has  heard 
Shaphat  and  his  confession.  Even  receiving  the  oath 
of  Tabni,  only  one  witness  swears  to  my  guilt." 

"  And  let  your  Majesty  observe,"  interrupted  Avil, 
angrily,  "  that  the  civil-minister,  being  a  Jew,  can 
not  claim  the  protection  of  the  law  of  Babylon." 

But  at  this  Bilsandan  the  vizier  leaped  from  his 
station. 

"  Are  you  mad,  priest  ?  "  he  cried.  "  Deny  for 
eigners  our  law,  and  all  the  great  Egyptian  and 
Syrian  merchants  quit  Babylon ;  our  trade  is 
blasted!" 

"  And  will  you  presume  to  teach  me  my  duty  to 


BEL  ACCUSES  163 

the  king?"  retorted  Avil,  still  more  wrathfully. 
But  before  the  tumult  could  rise  higher,  the  justiciar 
stepped  out  before  the  throne. 

"  Live  forever,  O  king !  "  spoke  he,  salaaming. 
"Before  your  Majesty  passes  judgment,  hear  this 
concerning  the  witness  Tabni.  Daniel  has  not  yet 
asked  him,  but  I  do  ask,  whether  he  was  not  the 
'  charmer '  who  was  brought  before  the  '  Tribunal  of 
the  Five  Judges,'  in  the  past  year,  when  Daniel  sat 
with  me  among  the  members?  He  is  silent;  he 
dares  deny  nothing.  No ;  nor  dare  he  deny  that  he 
was  convicted  first  of  embezzlement,  then  of  perjury ; 
and  that  all  the  judges  save  Daniel  voted  '  death,' 
but  the  civil-minister  persuaded  us  to  mercy.  We 
imposed  three  hundred  stripes.  Behold  the  grati 
tude  ! " 

The  uproar  was  doubled  now,  the  exertions  of 
the  wand-bearers  utterly  futile.  The  luckless  Tabni 
cowered  behind  the  chief  priest,  who  still  clamoured, 
"  Execute  the  blasphemer  !  No  mercy  to  the  sor 
cerer  I  "  While  Bilsandan  as  loudly  bade  the  priest 
"  make  an  end  to  his  patter !  "  and  to  remember  the 
precept  in  the  "  Book  of  Maxims,"  "  Let  the  king 
avenge  according  to  the  law,  or  swiftest  destruction 
waiteth  upon  his  city." 

Yet,  through  all  the  clamour  and  turbulence,  Bel- 
shazzar  sat  upon  the  ivory  throne,  impassive,  im 
placable.  The  very  sympathies  of  the  company  had 
made  his  stony  heart  still  harder.  Was  he  not 
king?  Should  any  ancient  law,  from  men  of  ages 


164  BELSHAZZAR, 

forgotten,  stand  betwixt  Mm  and  his  own  royal 
will?  At  the  first  instant  of  silence  his  voice  rang 
clear :  — 

"  Hear  my  judgment.  Daniel  is  a  Jew,  and  the 
law  does  not  cover  him.  His  guilt  is  sufficiently 
proved.  Advance,  Khatin ;  seize  the  prisoner  !  " 

But  it  was  not  merely  shoutings  now  that  drowned 
the  king's  voice.  Right  before  the  monarch  sprang 
Sirusur,  "  Master  of  the  Host." 

"  Lord,"  cried  he,  hotly,  "  if  your  Majesty  desires 
to  put  crown  ministers  to  death  on  the  word  of  such 
as  Tabni,  let  the  king  find  another  general !  "  And 
he  cast  his  baton  of  office  at  the  royal  feet ;  so  did 
the  justiciar,  so  the  "  Master  of  the  Granaries,"  the 
"  Master  of  the  Treasury,"  and  a  dozen  great  officials 
more.  Khatin,  the  boldest  of  the  bold,  had  shrunk 
from  fulfilling  the  kingly  order.  But  while  Bel- 
shazzar  sat  lowering  and  unbending  in  the  face  of 
every  protest,  Mermaza  had  thrust  his  way  through 
the  angry  officers,  and  salaamed  before  his  master. 

"  Your  Majesty,"  spoke  he,  and  his  ever  present 
smile  had  become  dimmed  in  truth,  "  I  am  com 
manded  by  the  queen-mother,  Tavat-Hasina,  to  say 
that  she  has  heard  with  no  pleasure  of  the  accusation 
against  that  dear  servant  of  her  father  Nebuchad 
nezzar,  the  civil-minister  Daniel ;  that  she  entreats 
the  king  her  son  to  listen  to  no  perjured  evidence, 
and  she  warns  the  minister's  accusers  of  her  most 
high  displeasure."  The  colour  was  leaving  Avil's 
cheek,  for  Tavat  was  still  a  power  to  be  reckoned 


BEL  ACCUSES  165 

with.  "  And  I  am  also  commanded,"  went  on  Mer- 
maza,  more  haltingly,  "  to  say  in  behalf  of  the  wor 
shipful  Persian  envoy,  the  Prince  Darius,  that  Daniel 
the  Jew  has  become  most  dear  to  him,  and  he  trusts 
the  king  will  do  nothing  hastily,  if  he  desires  to 
retain  the  ambassador's  good  will." 

They  saw  Belshazzar's  face  grow  even  darker,  saw 
him  lift  the  gold-tipped  sceptre,  as  if  to  dash  it  in 
the  eunuch's  face.  But  fewer  saw  Avil's  signal  to 
his  lord,  as  the  priest  stood  close  beside  the  dais,  and 
the  muttered  whisper,  "Yield  for  the  moment."  The 
staff-bearers  enforced  silence  at  last.  In  profound 
stillness  the  king  announced  his  decision  :  — 

"  In  mine  own  eyes  the  guilt  of  Daniel  is  clear  as 
the  moon  on  a  cloudless  night;  but  I  perceive  that 
many  faithful  servants  are  minded  otherwise,  and 
that  a  question  has  arisen  as  to  the  veracity  of  the 
witness  Tabni.  Let  therefore  the  accused  be  re 
manded  to  prison  until  his  case  can  be  more  care 
fully  examined  into.  And  since  nothing  else  is 
brought  to  my  judgment  seat,  let  the  hall  be 
cleared." 

The  assemblage  dispersed.  Daniel  was  led  to  the 
palace  prison.  The  king  vanished  in  the  harem. 
Khatin  stole  away  to  Nur-Samas's  beer-house  with 
very  dejected  countenance,  —  he  had  not  taken 
Daniel's  head.  Only  Avil  and  Gudea  conversed 
together,  but  not  amiably. 

"  Scorpion,"  raged  the  priest,  "  what  mean  you  by 
playing  with  me  thus  ?  To  pin  half  your  tale  on 


166  BELSHAZZAK, 

a  creature  like  Tabni,  and  then  to  have  the  other 
witness  fail !  " 

"  Compassion !  my  lord,"  whined  Gudea.  "  Hardly 
a  man  would  do  an  ill  turn  by  Daniel,  he  is  so 
beloved.  Even  Tabni  and  Shaphat  set  their  prices 
high." 

"And  Shaphat  has  vanished,  after  having  made 
sport  of  me  before  all  Babylon ! "  fumed  Avil. 
"  Better  to  have  Daniel  at  large,  than  in  prison  with 
so  many  revilings  flung  after  me  as  there  were 
to-day !  You  have  failed  me  utterly,  you  and 
your  cursed  wife.  May  you  never  darken  my  sight 
again! " 

"But  your  lordship  recalls  a  small  matter,"  sniffed 
Gudea,  as  unable  as  Binit  to  forget  the  money-bags, 
—  "a  promise,  of  two  talents  ;  merely  of  two  talents. 
A  trifle  amongst  friends  —  " 

"  And  I  will  pay  them,"  swore  Avil,  "  when  Allat 
has  requited  you  in  the  'House  of  Torment.'  There 
fore,  get  you  gone !  " 

When  Gudea  returned  to  his  home  that  night,  he 
had  occasion  to  meditate  long  on  the  ingratitude  of 
the  mighty. 


NABU  DEFIES  THE  KING 


CHAPTER  XI 

IF  Gudea's  heart   was   sorrowful   that  night,  so 
were  those  of  greater  men  than  he.     Avil  had 
never  before  found  Belshazzar  so  irascible,  as  when 
they  conferred  in  a  quiet  chamber  of  the   palace, 
about  sundown. 

"  The  Jew  is  obstinate  as  an  old  camel ! "  cursed 
the  king.  "He  knows  no  more  fear  than  a  mad 
auroch.  I  can  do  nothing  with  him!  " 

"  And  the  king  threatened  ?  "  insinuated  Avil. 

"  Torture,  impaling,  flaying  alive,  hot  furnaces,  — 
and  all  else ;  yet  he  will  not  give  me  an  order  on 
Imbi-Ilu  for  his  daughter." 

"  Let  the  king's  liver  find  peace,"  comforted  Avil, 
sweetly.  "  Daniel  will  not  torment  him  long.  The 
feast  of  Bel  is  near,  when  I  as  chief  priest  may  crave, 
in  the  god's  name,  one  boon  which  you  may  not 
refuse.  If  I  ask  then  the  life  of  Daniel,  can  the 
queen-mother  complain?  You  are  powerless  to  deny 
such  a  request." 

"Ah,  well,  that  will  end  him!"  snapped  the  king. 
"  I  seek  the  daughter." 

"  Patience,  your  Majesty." 
167 


168  BELSHAZZAB, 

"  No  patience,  I  have  waited  long.  At  dawn  I 
will  go  in  person  to  Borsippa,  and  demand  her  sur 
render.  If  not  —  I  will  find  if  Nabu  can  make  the 
hides  of  his  priests  too  thick  for  sword-blades  !  " 

Avil  shook  his  head.  "  Nothing  rashly,  lord. 
All  the  people  revere  Nabu." 

"  Let  them  learn  the  greatest  god  in  Babylon  is 
its  king,"  Belshazzar  threw  up  his  head;  "there  is 
too  much  priestly  rule  here  for  my  liking."  He 
looked  hard  at  Avil,  who  bit  his  lips  at  the  open 
hint.  "  You  failed  miserably  in  the  accusation,"  con 
tinued  Belshazzar. 

"I  did  not  know  Shaphat  had  so  sore  a  con 
science,"  confessed  the  pontiff,  ruefully;  "  but  once 
in  prison,  Daniel  shall  find  it  nothing  easy  to  learn 
the  way  out  of  it." 

"  And  the  Persian  Darius  grows  more  intolerable 
every  day.  He  has  saved  my  life  now.  Would  that 
any  other  had  done  it  !  " 

"  And  wherefore  should  that  be  an  offence  to  my 
lord.  I  never  was  sanguine  the  lion  would  succeed. 
There  are  many  ways  of  speeding  even  so  great  an 
archer  as  Darius  out  of  the  world." 

"  Avil,"  spoke  Belshazzar,  eying  his  minister,  "  I 
believe  that  the  gods  have  set  in  your  breast  no 
heart,  but  a  block  of  iron  ;  you  may  persuade  me  to 
many  things,  but  not  to  slay  Darius  until  I  stand  in 
sorer  need  than  I  stand  to-day." 

"Ah!  well,"  answered  the  pontiff,  smiling  some 
what  uneasily,  "it  is  all  one  whether  he  lives  or 


NABU   DEFIES  THE  KING  169 

dies.  My  watchers  are  everywhere  ;  not  a  letter  to 
or  from  Susa  fails  of  interception.  He  is  harmless 
in  Babylon.  Let  us  delay  the  envoy  as  long  as  we 
may  peaceably.  If  he  demands  to  be  sent  home  and 
seems  to  know  too  much,  there  is  but  one  thing  left." 

"  To  clap  into  prison  and  prepare  for  speedy  war 
with  Cyrus?" 

"  The  king  has  said!  "  bowed  Avil. 

"Very  good,"  answered  Belshazzar,  not  without 
bitterness.  "  I  follow  your  wisdom ;  but  woe  to 
Babylon,  and  woe  to  you,  if  your  wisdom  prove  but 
folly!" 

The  king  had  come  to  Borsippa  with  a  "  fifty  "  of 
war  chariots,  and  five  hundred  mounted  lancers. 
So  a  frightened  underling  reported  to  Imbi-Ilu, 
just  as  that  pontiff  was  sprinkling  himself  with 
purifying  water,  before  going  to  the  great  altar,  to 
proffer  the  morning  "fruit-offering." 

"  He  demands  instant  entrance,"  continued  the 
messenger,  in  no  steady  voice,  "both  for  himself 
and  the  soldiers  who  follow  him." 

"  Armed  men  in  Nabu's  temple  precinct  ! "  cried 
the  high  priest,  dropping  the  palm  branch  with 
which  he  had  been  sprinkling  his  garments.  "  Never 
has  warrior  planted  sandal  inside  our  gates  since 
the  founding  of  the  ziggurat!  Surely,  your  wits  are 
wandering." 

"  Would  to  Nabu  they  were  !  "  groaned  the  other  ; 
"but  hearken!" 


170  BELSHAZZAR 

And  Imbi  heard  the  clattering  of  spear-butts 
against  the  portals. 

"  This  is  an  important  hour  for  the  dignity  of 
Nabu,"  announced  he,  regaining  composure.  "  We 
must  at  once  reverence  the  king  and  defend  the 
honour  of  our  god.  Go,  tell  his  Majesty  that  we 
will  admit  him,  as  soon  as  I  can  array  the  corps  of 
priests  and  temple  ministers  in  due  order  to  receive 
him  with  proper  state." 

Then  the  great  gong  that  hung  by  the  steps  to  the 
tower  began  to  clang  furiously.  The  school  boys 
joyously  flung  away  their  clay  tablets,  while  their 
professors  hastened  to  don  their  whitest  robes.  The 
sluggish  temple  servants  ceased  dozing  on  the  sunny 
bricks  of  the  court,  and  shuffled  toward  the  gate 
way,  where  the  long  lines  of  priests  and  other 
servitors  of  Nabu  were  forming. 

When  the  entrance  was  at  last  thrown  wide,  and 
Belshazzar's  chariot  entered,  the  king  confronted  ex 
tended  files  of  "Necromancers,"  "Libation-Pourers," 
"Dirge-Singers,"  and  many  more  sacred  colleges,  each 
drawn  up  in  proper  order,  every  man  in  his  snowy 
garment  and  peaked  tiara,  with  Imbi-Ilu  in  his  pon 
tiff's  goatskin  at  their  head.  And  at  a  signal  from 
their  chief  every  knee  was  bent  in  salutation,  while 
the  temple  choir  intoned  the  chant  of  welcome. 

"  Grant  prosperous  life, 
Innumerable  years, 
And  children  uncounted, 
O  Nabu,  most  wise ! 
To  Belshazzar  our  king ! " 


NABU   DEFIES   THE  KING  171 

The  chariot  had  halted  in  the  courtyard,  but  the 
swarms  of  soldiery  without  the  gate  had  not  begun 
to  enter  when  Imbi-Ilu  stepped  before  the  sovereign, 
and  salaamed  almost  to  the  bricks. 

"  A  fortunate  day,  O  Nabu,  a  fortunate  day  that 
brings  Belshazzar  the  heaven-loving  sovereign  to  the 
4  Eternal  House '  I  Let  the  king  deign  to  make 
known  his  will  to  his  servants  ;  he  knows,"  the 
pontiff  rubbed  his  hands  craftily,  "  that  Nabu  is  poor, 
his  priests  lack  corn.  Strange  and  young  gods  be 
witch  the  pious  of  Babylon." 

Belshazzar  leaped  from  the  chariot  without  wait 
ing  for  the  grooms  to  set  the  footstool.  He  was 
clearly  striving  to  appear  conciliatory. 

"  I  greet  you  well,  you,  and  all  these  other  vener 
able  priests,"  nodding  to  the  company.  "  I  have  not 
forgotten  that  the  revenues  of  Nabu  have  diminished. 
I  have  commanded  that  the  treasurer  deliver  upon 
your  request  a  hundred  gurs l  of  barley  and  as  many 
of  millet,  also  I  deed  to  you  an  estate  of  the  crown 
near  Erech  of  fifty  '  great  acres '  of  corn  land." 

"  Blessing  to  the  ever  bountiful  son  of  the  gods  !  " 
chorussed  the  company,  every  head  bowing  again. 

"  But  I  have  come  to  make  a  request,"  went  on 
Belshazzar. 

"The  king's  wishes  are  law,"  smiled  Imbi-Ilu. 
"  He  desires  the  supplications  of  his  servants  for  the 
continuance  of  peace  ;  be  assured  —  " 

Belshazzar  raised  his  hand.  "  I  crave  a  smaller 
1  The  gur  was  about  eight  bushels. 


172  BELSHAZZAR 

boon,  that  will  not  take  these  reverend  men  from 
their  studies.  There  is  in  this  temple  a  damsel  —  " 

Imbi-Ilu  bowed  yet  again.  "  The  king  has  spoken, 
—  the  Jewess  Ruth." 

"  Be  so  good  as  to  bring  her  forth  immediately. 
I  take  her  back  to  Babylon." 

Imbi-Ilu  repeated  his  salaam.  "  The  king's  word 
is  good.  We  are  all  obedience.  Where  is  the  letter 
from  Daniel  her  father  ?  " 

"  The  letter  ?  "  there  was  a  dangerous  flush  on  Bel- 
shazzar's  bronzed  cheek ;  "  I  do  not  understand  you, 
priest." 

"  Let  not  the  king  take  anger,"  returned  the  pon 
tiff,  calmly.  "  Who  am  I  so  bold  as  to  remind  him 
that  only  on  command  of  the  father  can  we  give  up 
a  maid  entrusted  to  us  for  asylum  ?  " 

"Well,"  affirmed  Belshazzar,  tossing  his  lordly 
head,  "your  learning,  of  a  truth,  teaches  that  the 
king  is  greater  than  the  father  ;  and  it  is  the  king 
who  orders  now." 

There  was  a  dead  hush  for  a  moment,  every  eye 
fixed  on  Imbi.  His  was  the  next  move. 

"Your  Majesty,"  began  he,  firmly,  "/am  but  the 
meanest  of  your  slaves;  but  as  a  priest  it  is  not  I  that 
answer  you,  but  Nabu  the  Wise,  making  use  of  my 
poor  tongue."  And  he  met  the  haughty  glance  of 
the  king  with  one  as  haughty.  "  Nabu  cannot  suffer 
you  to  take  the  maiden." 

Belshazzar  tugged  at  the  sword  upon  his  thigh. 
"No  insolence,"  he  threatened;  "I  give  you  one 


NABU  DEFIES   THE  KING  173 

moment  to  consider.  Give  up  the  wench  peaceably, 
or  my  guardsmen  drag  her  forth  by  force,  and  you 
away  to  prison,  to  answer  charges  of  gross  rebellion 
against  my  will." 

Imbi  turned  to  Hasba,  the  subaltern  at  his  side, 
"  Haste  !  "  was  the  muttered  command,  "  put  the 
Jewess  in  the  shrine  behind  the  god's  own  image." 
Then,  still  boldly,  he  confronted  Belshazzar,  "  Live 
forever,  O  king  !  This  is  my  answer.  If  the  king 
is  bent  on  wickedness,  let  him  proceed  in  person  with 
one  attendant,  and  search  our  precinct.  If  he  find 
the  Jewess,  let  him  take  her  hence  with  his  own  hand. 
Let  the  soldiers  remain  without.  So  shall  we  be 
guiltless  of  resistance  to  your  Majesty,  and  on  your 
own  head  shall  be  all  the  anger  of  the  god  for  this 
insult  to  his  right  of  sanctuary." 

Belshazzar  had  unsheathed  his  weapon. 

"  I  will  see  who  is  monarch  in  Borsippa,  you, 
Imbi-Ilu,  or  I !  "  sounded  his  menace.  "  Forward, 
soldiers;  brush  these  priests  aside !  Search  the  place 
from  pinnacle  to  cellar;  and  woe  to  you,"  with  a  scowl 
at  the  temple  folk,  "if  you  withstand." 

But  Imbi-Ilu  stepped  before  the  gate,  where  the 
escort  was  thronging,  and  the  lances  tossing  threat 
eningly. 

"  Hear,  ye!  Hear,  ye!  soldiers  of  Babylon!  "  rang 
the  pontiff's  voice  ;  "  ere  you  obey  the  command 
of  Belshazzar,  hearken  to  the  divine  law,  revealed 
to  Sargon  I.  in  a  dream  sent  him  from  Nabu,  and 
confirmed  by  the  kings  Sin-iddina  and  Sennacherib, 


174  BELSHAZZAR 

'Let  him  who  enters  the  precinct  of  the  "Eternal 
House  "  be  devoted  to  the  Maskim  forever.  Let  his 
sons  perish,  his  daughters  remain  unmarried,  his  cat 
tle  starve,  his  enemies  prosper,  his  soul  eat  mud  in 
the  "Abode  of  Torment."  You  have  heard  the 
ordinance  of  the  god  and  of  the  king  ;  obey  you 
which  you  list  —  Nabu  or  Belshazzar  !  " 

And  as  he  spoke,  the  lines  of  priests  moved  steadily 
forward,  until  they  formed  a  solid  rank  across  the 
entrance  way,  denying  all  ingress. 

"  Advance,  men  !  "  thundered  the  king  ;  "  out 
swords  ;  hew  these  rebels  down,  and  make  a  path 
way  over  them,  if  such  is  their  mad  wish  !  " 

But  not  a  soldier  advanced.  The  priests  confronted 
Belshazzar  stolidly.  Again  the  king  commanded  ; 
again  mute  disobedience.  Presently  Igas-Ramman 
the  captain  took  a  cautious  step  forward  and 
saluted. 

"  Let  the  king's  heart  find  peace  ;  in  other  things 
the  soldiers  do  his  least  bidding,  but  they  cannot 
massacre  these  holy  priests  in  the  god's  own 
house." 

"  Well,  then,"  cried  Belshazzar,  sending  a  glance 
of  burning  anger  through  the  captain,  "  be  it  so.  I 
think  the  'king  of  Sumer  and  Akkad'  has  might 
enough  to  hale  forth  a  simpering  Jewess.  As  for 
you,  Imbi,  in  due  time  I  will  teach  you  how  foul  was 
the  day  when  you  made  a  foe  of  me.  Who  is  there 
who  will  go  with  me,  and  seek  out  the  maiden  ?  " 

Not  a  captain  advanced,  but  into  the  gate  strode  a 


NABU   DEFIES   THE   KING  175 

towering  giant,  Khatin.  "Here  am  I,  your  Majesty," 
he  announced  pompously ;  "  we  go  together,  the 
headsman  and  the  king!  " 

"  Good,  then.  Let  us  find  this  wench  without 
delay." 

The  array  of  priests  opened  for  the  twain.  Imbi 
ceremoniously  walked  beside  the  monarch,  offering 
no  suggestions,  but  courteously  leading  wherever  the 
king  desired.  They  searched  the  college  buildings, 
the  quarters  of  the  kali,  the  eunuch  priests,  of  the 
zikari,  the  "  female-recluses,"  the  houses  of  the  married 
priests,  and  the  great  storerooms.  Their  quest  ended 
in  nothing  but  mortification  for  Belshazzar.  Vainly 
he  threatened  and  commanded  Imbi-Ilu.  The  pontiff 
only  protested  that  his  lips  were  sealed —  the  guilt 
of  outraging  the  asylum  must  rest  on  Belshazzar 
alone.  The  king  was  nigh  to  returning  to  the  gate 
way  discomfited,  when  a  whisper  by  Khatin  made 
him  turn  to  Imbi-Ilu. 

44  One  thing  more,"  he  ordered.  "  Lead  me  to  the 
sanctuary  on  the  crest  of  the  tower.  We  have  not 
yet  searched  through  that" 

44  The  shrine  of  the  god  !  "  cried  the  pontiff,  throw 
ing  up  his  hands  in  surprised  dismay.  "  What  is  the 
king  saying  ?  Do  my  ears  deceive  ?  " 

"In  no  way,  priest,"  repeated  Belshazzar,  sternly; 
"  the  sanctuary,  and  nowhere  else." 

44  Oh,  my  lord,  my  lord,"  Imbi  began  to  groan, 
falling  on  his  knees,  44  at  least  spare  our  temple  this 
outrage.  Forbear  —  " 


176  BELSHAZZAR 

"Nip  him  close,  my  king,"  exhorted  Khatin, 
gruffly.  "  I  swear  by  his  own  god  we  shall  find  the 
damsel  hid  under  the  very  image." 

"  No  delaying,  Imbi,"  repeated  the  king,  fiercely. 
"  Your  moaning  tells  too  well  where  the  girl  is  con 
cealed.  To  the  shrine  immediately." 

"But  my  lord  knows  the  story,"  protested  the 
pontiff,  leading  to  the  foot  of  the  temple  stairs,  with 
all  seeming  reluctance,  "how  when  King  Ourina, 
twelve  hundred  3rears  since,  sought  to  drag  a  sup 
pliant  from  this  very  sanctuary,  the  god  smote  him 
with  leprosy,  and  he  went  out  of  the  temple  white  as 
snow." 

"A  beldame's  tale,"  grunted  Khatin;  "lead  on 
ward." 

"  Or  how  King  Samas-Nin,  for  merely  saying  in  his 
bedchamber  that  Nabu  had  no  power  to  defend  his 
servants  from  the  royal  will,  fell  down  speechless, 
and  died  in  three  days  torn  by  demons." 

"  That  was  many  years  ago,"  growled  the  heads 
man,  "and  the  estimable  god  has  begun  to  show  old 
age.  Up,  priest,  up  !  " 

Imbi  said  no  more.  He  led  the  two  along  the 
lofty  flights  of  stairs  toward  the  upper  shrine,  de 
liberately  and  slowly.  As  they  mounted  from  terrace 
to  terrace,  and  the  lower  world  began  to  drop  away 
below  them,  an  unnatural  hush  seemed  spreading  all 
about,  that  made  even  Khatin's  river  of  strange  jests 
and  oaths  flow  sluggishly,  and  finally  cease  alto 
gether.  Suddenly,  when  one  terrace  below  the  shrine, 


NABU   DEFIES  THE   KING  177 

Imbi  halted,  and  pointed  to  a  black  stone,  set  in  the 
bricks  of  the  parapet. 

"  Look,  your  Majesty  ! "  he  spoke,  in  a  bated 
whisper,  and  pointed. 

"  Well  ? "  questioned  Belshazzar,  his  own  voice 
husky. 

"  This  stone  marks  the  spot  where  the  impious 
General  Naram-Sin  fell  down  dead  when  by  command 
of  King  Esarhaddon  he  went  up  to  arrest  a  fugitive 
in  the  sanctuary." 

The  king  stared  at  the  stone  fixedly,  saying 
nothing  ;  but  Khatin  gave  a  loud  bray,  —  too  loud,  in 
fact,  to  be  unforced. 

"  An  hundred  years  ago  !  As  I  said,  the  good  Nabu 
has  grown  many  gray  hairs  since  then.  Come,  your 
Majesty,  let  others  quake  and  gibber.  The  execu 
tioner  and  the  king  are  of  too  tough  stuff  to  be  thus 
frighted." 

"  Silence,  impudent  villain  !  "  commanded  Imbi ; 
"reverence  the  king,  even  if  you  must  blaspheme  the 
great  Nabu.  Shall  I  lead  on  ?  " 

"Lead  on,"  ordered  Belshazzar,  doggedly,  but 
Imbi  saw  that  he  was  stealing  glances  out  of  the 
corners  of  his  eyes  at  Khatin,  and  the  headsman 
seemed  anything  but  at  ease.  Belshazzar  might  be 
"son  of  Marduk,"  but  it  required  something  better 
than  loud-mouthed  boastings  to  make  him  advance 
to  a  deed  like  this  without  a  tremor. 

They  had  reached  the  topmost  terrace.  Below 
them  lay  Borsippa  and  Babylon,  spread  like  a  fair 


178  BELSHAZZAK, 

broidered  garment.  Directly  at  their  feet  was  the 
wide  courtyard,  packed  with  the  gazing  priests,  and 
the  soldiers  before  the  gate,  all  staring  upward  ;  and 
Belshazzar  knew  that  not  a  man  of  them  envied  him 
and  his  deed. 

Imbi  halted  at  the  silver-plated  door  of  the  sanc 
tuary.  His  voice  was  even  lower.  "  At  least,  let  the 
king  put  off  his  sandals  before  entering  the  god's 
dread  presence." 

Belshazzar  and  Khatin  complied  without  a  word. 
Even  before  Imbi  thrust  in  the  door,  the  air  they 
breathed  seemed  weighted  to  the  would-be  violators. 
Why  did  the  swallows  twitter  so  shrill  ?  Why  did 
their  own  hearts  beat  so  loudly  ? 

The  door  creaked  on  its  pivots.  Imbi  stepped  to 
one  side.  "  Let  the  king  enter,"  he  whispered,  "  but 
suffer  his  slave  to  remain  away  from  this  fearful 
deed." 

The  two  peered  within.  The  sanctuary  was  abso 
lutely  dark,  save  for  a  single  bar  of  yellow  light  that 
shot  through  an  unseen  opening  in  the  vaulted  roof, 
and  did  not  diffuse  the  gloom  in  the  slightest.  A  few 
jewels  on  the  garments  of  the  idol  twinkled  faintly. 
Barely  could  they  see  the  outline  of  the  great  image, 
looming  to  monstrous  size  at  the  opposite  extremity 
of  the  chamber.  Two  steps  within,  their  feet  echoed 
and  reechoed,  while  the  darkness  seemed  pressing 
all  about  them.  After  the  brightness  just  quitted,  no 
dungeon  could  have  been  blacker.  Khatin  uplifted 
his  voice,  throwing  into  it  his  last  grains  of  courage. 


NABU   DEFIES   THE  KING  179 

"Boldly,  lord.  We  have  her  instantly!"  And 
he  took  a  third  step,  but  no  farther.  His  voice 
was  doubled  by  countless  echoes,  and  scarcely  had 
they  died  ere  a  rumbling  and  muttering  as  of  distant 
thunder  reverberated  from  end  to  end  of  the  sanc 
tuary.  Khatin  felt  an  icy  touch  run  down  his  spine 
in  a  twinkling  :  his  teeth  rattled  in  his  head.  There 
was  a  quivering  at  the  roots  of  his  hair,  as  if  it  were 
rising. 

A  second  muttering,  and  to  their  straining  gaze  the 
tall  idol  seemed  rocking  on  its  pedestal.  The  whole 
shrine  jarred.  A  pale  flicker  of  light  touched  the 
hideous  features  of  the  image,  illumining  the  grin 
ning  mouth.  Then  the  light  vanished,  and  all  the 
dark  seemed  alive  with  writhing  demons  uncounted, 
right,  left,  before,  behind,  —  thronging  and  threaten 
ing.  Khatin's  feet  were  frozen  under  him.  He 
would  have  given  his  all  for  strength  to  flee  away. 
Suddenly  out  of  the  rumbling  thunder  came  a  voice, 
slow,  muffled,  sepulchral. 

"  Woe,  woe,  unto  Belshazzar,  the  impious  king  ; 
woe,  woe  unto  Khatin,  the  ungodly  servant.  For  ten 
thousand  years  let  them  eat  of  fire  ;  for  ten  thousand 
years  let  them  drink  of  wormwood  ;  for  ten  thousand 
years  —  " 

But  king  and  headsman  had  awaited  no  more. 
Power  of  flight  returned  to  each  simultaneously. 
They  were  outside  the  doorway  iii  a  trice  ;  and 
Belshazzar  had  dashed  to  the  portal  and  bolted  it 
before  Imbi  might  speak  a  word. 


180  BELSHAZZAR 

"  Away  !  "  gasped  the  king,  all  the  while  shaking 
as  with  ague ;  "  away,  lest  the  god  pursue  us ! 
Back  to  Babylon  with  all  haste  !  "  He  was  running 
down  the  ziggurat  with  leaps  and  bounds,  Khatin 
after  him. 

"  Your  Majesty  leaves  his  sandals,"  Imbi  shouted, 
but  Belshazzar  never  so  much  as  heard. 

When  he  reached  the  courtyard,  Belshazzar  stum 
bled.  The  chariot  servants  saw  that  his  face  was 
ghastly  white,  and,  fearing  leprosy,  dreaded  at  first 
to  help  him  into  the  car.  With  no  explanation  to 
any,  Belshazzar  ordered  that  they  drive  at  headlong 
speed  to  the  palace. 

It  was  three  days  before  the  king  showed  himself 
again  in  public,  and  even  then  all  saw  that  his 
features  were  haggard.  Khatin  had  recovered  more 
swiftly.  Amongst  his  cronies,  and  when  well  in 
liquor,  he  was  wont  to  boast  that  he  had  been  all 
courage,  only  the  king  commanded  him  to  retire 
just  as  he  was  dragging  Ruth  from  behind  the 
image.  Be  that  as  it  may,  on  the  evening  following 
the  attempted  sacrilege,  Imbi  privately  commended 
his  faithful  Hasba  for  having  done  his  duty  so  man 
fully  in  the  sanctuary  during  the  morning. 


THE  WISE  GUDEA  PROSPERS 


CHAPTER  XII 

"TV  "TOW  after  the  king  for  the  third  time  had  re- 
JJN  fused  the  prayer  of  all  the  great  merchants 
of  Babylon,  to  accept  their  security  and  release 
Daniel  from  his  prison,  Ruth  the  Jewess  declined 
more  and  more.  Zabini,  the  motherly  wife  of  Imbi- 
Ilu,  went  one  day  to  her  husband  with  no  little  con 
cern,  and  told  him  how  the  girl  was  daily  becoming 
pale  and  languid,  her  appetite  was  failing,  she  took 
no  interest  in  the  songs  and  dances  of  the  temple 
women,  and  how  every  time  a  mule-cart  rumbled  in 
the  streets  outside  the  gates,  she  would  start  and 
shiver,  fearing  lest  it  was  a  new  visit  from  the  king 
to  drag  her  from  sanctuary. 

Imbi  was  a  kind-hearted  man.  He  directed  Bel- 
Nuri,  the  oldest  and  wisest  of  the  temple  doctors,  to 
examine  the  Jewess,  and  prescribe.  The  physician 
did  his  duty  carefully,  and  announced  that  the  girl 
suffered  from  "the  wasting  sickness,"  perhaps 
aggravated  by  an  attack  of  formidable  demons. 
Ruth  accordingly  was  duly  medicined  with  a  paste 
of  "white  dogs'  brains,"  supplemented  by  a  most 
powerful  spell,  which  was  chanted  over  her  one 

181 


182  BELSHAZZAR 

whole  afternoon  by  Zabini  and  six  other  priests' 
wives.  Privately,  however,  Bel-Nuri  had  a  long  con 
ference  with  Imbi-Ilu. 

"  Nought  ails  the  girl,"  declared  the  doctor,  "  ex 
cept  anxiety  for  her  father,  now  mewed  up  in  4  The 
House  of  Walls,'  for  her  betrothed,  who  you  know 
is  now  in  hiding,  and  whose  arrest  has  been  ordered, 
and  for  herself.  She  trembles  every  moment  lest 
the  king  lay  hand  on  her  ;  besides,  as  a  Jewess,  our 
temple  rites  are  most  displeasing.  She  fears  the 
anger  of  her  god  if  she  continues  to  witness  them. 
We  cannot  change  his  Majesty's  purpose  to  imprison 
Daniel,  although,  now  that  Gudea  and  the  other 
accusers  have  utterly  vanished  from  sight,  it  is  gross 
persecution  to  hold  him  without  cause.  But  as 
suredly  we  may  rid  her  of  the  last  evil  influence. 
Send  her  away  from  Babylon  and  Borsippa  ;  beyond 
doubt  there  are  some  safe  and  pleasant  hiding  spots 
in  the  country,  where  she  will  be  happier." 

Imbi  meditated  long  on  this  advice,  and  consulted 
Zabini ;  they  both  agreed  it  were  best  for  Ruth 
that  she  should  be  sent  quietly  away. 

Day  passed  into  day,  however,  with  no  opportu 
nity  presenting,  and  Ruth  drooped  yet  more.  All 
the  bloom  had  vanished  from  her  cheeks.  She  spoke 
little,  slept  long,  yet  wakened  unrefreshed  :  there 
fore  it  was  with  a  very  glad  heart  that  one  after 
noon  Imbi-Ilu  went  up  upon  his  house  roof,  where 
the  Jewess  was  languidly  aiding  Zabini  at  her  weav 
ing. 


THE   WISE   GUDEA  PROSPERS  183 

"Beloved  child,"  he  announced,  "I  have  to  tell 
you  that  Nabu's  house  will  shelter  you  no  longer. 
Isaiah  your  betrothed  has  communicated  with  me, 
and  desires  to  take  you  out  of  Borsippa  this  very 
night." 

"  Away  from  Babylon  and  Borsippa  ?  Oh,  joy  !  " 
And  it  did  Zabini's  heart  good  to  see  the  colour 
return  to  the  Jewess's  wan  face. 

"  But  how  is  it  to  be  managed  ?  "  questioned  the 
wife. 

"  I  scarce  know  myself,"  confessed  Imbi ;  "  a 
strange  slave  lad  left  this  sealed  tablet  at  the  temple 
gate.  You  see  it  is  Isaiah's  own  signet,  and  cannot 
be  doubted." 

Zabini  surveyed  the  tablet  critically.  "  The  king 
may  have  secured  the  seal,  or  it  may  have  been 
forged  by  his  orders,"  she  objected. 

Imbi  shook  his  head.  "Between  ourselves,  I 
dare  not  deny  that  his  Majesty  is  capable  of  many 
strange  things  ;  but  his  strokes  are  those  of  a  lion, 
not  of  a  fox.  I  do  not  believe  he  would  descend  to 
theft  or  forgery,  especially  in  a  matter  where  Avil- 
Marduk  does  not  thrust  him  on.  For  this  pursuit 
of  the  girl  is  against  Avil's  express  advice,  as  I  am 
surely  informed." 

Zabini  accordingly  handed  the  tablet  to  Ruth, 
who  read  :  — 

"  Isaiah  writing  secretly  to  Imbi-Ilu  by  the  hands  of  a  trusty 
messenger.  I  have  heard  how  Ruth  my  betrothed  is  unhappy 
in  the  temple  of  Nabu,  and  am  resolved  to  take  her  to  a  safe, 


184  BELSHAZZAR 

agreeable  hiding  spot  at  a  distance  from  Babylon.  Deliver  her 
to-night,  at  the  first  « double-hour '  after  sunset,  to  the  three 
persons  who  shall  meet  her  by  the  clump  of  five  palm  trees 
before  the  gate  of  your  temple.  They  are  to  be  trusted  in  all 
things,  and  will  show  my  signet  as  voucher.  I  will  be  at  hand 
with  a  closed  carriage,  to  take  her  away.  Farewell." 

"  Isaiah's  seal !  "  exclaimed  Ruth,  joyously,  recog 
nizing  the  likeness  of  the  hero  Eabani,  "and  the 
characters  are  like  those  from  his  hand." 

"  I  have  consulted  with  Hasba,"  added  Iinbi,  "  and 
we  have  decided  it  is  best  for  you  to  go.  Doubtless 
these  persons  are  faithful  servants  of  your  father, 
though  Isaiah  would  not  mention  them  by  name,  lest 
the  letter  should  fall  into  unfriendly  hands." 

Accordingly,  the  rest  of  the  day  Ruth  passed  in 
delightful  impatience.  She  was  to  be  taken  from 
Babylon.  She  was  to  see  her  betrothed.  She  was 
to  be  put  beyond  the  power  of  the  hated  king. 
Zabini  had  to  urge  her  that  this  one  time,  at  least, 
she  should  eat  heartily  ;  for  doubtless  she  would 
have  to  journey  the  night  long,  and  would  need  all 
her  strength.  When  twilight  fell,  Ruth  had  gath 
ered  her  little  bundle,  said  farewell  to  Zabini  and 
the  friendly  priests'  wives,  and  restlessly  counted  the 
stars  as  they  twinkled  forth  one  by  one  above  the 
great  tower.  The  time  seemed  endless  before  Imbi 
and  Hasba  conducted  her  stealthily  through  the 
silently  opened  gate,  and  she  quitted  the  refuge 
that  had  sheltered  so  long  and  well.  The  five 
palm  trees  were  just  visible  in  the  thickening  gloom. 
Fifty  paces  brought  her  to  them,  and  there,  as  prom- 


THE  WISE   GUDEA  PROSPERS  185 

ised,  were  waiting  three  figures,  the  capes  of  their 
long  mantles  drawn  so  completely  across  their  faces 
that  in  the  starlight  no  features  were  visible.  Imbi 
peered  about  to  see  that  there  were  no  unfriendly 
watchers. 

"  Your  business  ?  "  he  demanded  of  the  three ; 
and  one  answered,  in  a  husky  voice  that  Ruth  did 
not  in  the  slightest  recognize :  — 

"  We  are  the  servants  of  the  good  Lord  Daniel,  and 
act  for  his  excellent  friend  Isaiah.  Jehovah  grant," 
the  wish  sounded  exceedingly  fervent,  "that  you 
have  brought  our  adorable  young  mistress  with 
you." 

"  You  answer  well,"  replied  Imbi,  "  but  I  must  see 
your  token." 

The  speaker  drew  back  his  mantle  far  enough  to 
uncover  a  faint  rushlight  that  he  concealed,  burning 
in  a  small  earthen  jar. 

"  See  this,  then,"  he  answered,  and  held  up  some 
thing  in  the  glimmer. 

"  It  is  Isaiah's  seal,"  admitted  Imbi ;  "  you  are 
vouched  for.  Take  the  girl  and  guard  her  well."  He 
was  turning  to  go,  when  some  monitor  prompted 
him  to  add  sharply,  "  And  beware  of  faithlessness  ; 
or,  as  Nabu  liveth,  I  will  make  your  fate  no  merry 
one,  though  the  king  himself  befriend  you  !  " 

"The  Lord  God  of  Israel  forbid  that  we  should 
fail  even  to  lay  down  our  lives  for  our  dear  mistress  ! " 
protested  the  other. 

"  Go  with  these   people,  Ruth,"  commanded  the 


186  BELSHAZZAK 

pontiff  ;  "  and  when  next  we  meet,  may  it  be  in  hap 
pier  days  for  your  father.  And  let  Nabu  and  Jeho 
vah,  my  god  and  yours,  protect  and  prosper  you." 

The  Jewess  murmured  a  low  farewell.  The  two 
priests  hurriedly  returned  to  the  temple  gate.  She 
heard  it  closed  and  bolted.  One  of  her  new  com 
panions  caught  her  by  the  hand. 

"  Come,  little  lady  ;  Isaiah  is  near  by  with  the 
carriage." 

But  at  that  touch,  instinct,  surer  than  knowledge, 
flashed  a  warning.  The  Jewess  did  not  follow. 

"  Who  are  you  ?  "  she  demanded,  for  the  first  time 
wavering,  "  which  of  my  father's  servants  ?  Your 
voices  are  strange." 

"  Merciful  Jehovah  !  "  protested  the  other,  tight 
ening  his  grasp  at  the  word,  "  do  you  not  know  the 
voice  of  your  dear  Simeon  ?  " 

"You  are  not  Simeon,"  cried  the  girl,  startled 
now  in  truth.  "I  do  not  understand.  I  will  not 
go  with  you." 

But  a  woman's  cracked  voice  piped  at  her  elbow. 
"  Come,  pretty  gosling  ;  the.  carriage  is  ready.  No 
fears ;  your  friends  provide  everything  !  " 

It  needed  no  more  to  make  Ruth's  lips  open  in 
a  piercing  scream,  a  second,  a  third,  before  three 
pairs  of  rude  hands  plucked  her  round  the  throat 
and  almost  throttled  her. 

"  Curses  on  you,  Binit,"  the  first  speaker  was  mut 
tering,  "  for  croaking  so  soon  !  Off  with  her ;  the 
priests  are  rousing  !  " 


THE  WISE   GUDEA  PROSPERS  187 

Force  irresistible  swept  Ruth  from  her  feet.  She 
was  carried  away  by  main  strength,  still  struggling 
feebly,  and  gasping  out  little  shrieks  whenever  the 
grip  on  her  throat  relaxed  the  slightest.  There 
was  indeed  need  of  haste,  for  the  gate  was  opening, 
while  Imbi's  voice  sounded,  "  Torches  !  After  the 
kidnappers !  "  and  a  great  clamour  was  rising  from  the 
temple  compound. 

The  weakest  animal  is  terrible  at  bay,  and  so  was 
the  Jewess.  Once  she  almost  writhed  out  of  the 
arms  that  gripped  so  fast ;  but  long  before  the  be 
wildered  priests  could  do  more  than  rush  blindly 
hither  and  thither  in  the  dark,  her  captors  had  hur 
ried  her  to  a  closed  carriage  that  awaited  under  the 
shadow  of  the  long  wall  of  a  granary.  The  three 
flung  her  inside,  and  two  leaped  in  after,  while 
the  first  speaker,  whom  the  woman  had  addressed 
as  Gudea,  bounded  upon  the  driver's  stand  and 
lashed  the  horses  furiously. 

It  was  some  moments  before  Ruth  lay  back  on  the 
cushions,  silent,  helpless,  too  stricken  and  terrified 
to  shed  one  tear,  but  quaking  with  dry  sobs  of  im 
potent  agony.  The  carriage  flew  through  the  night 
at  a  terrific  pace,  Gudea  never  sparing  the  horses. 
For  a  time  the  abductors  were  content  to  let  their 
prize  lie  quiet ;  then,  when  the  distance  from  the  zig- 
gurat  seemed  great  enough  to  defy  all  pursuit,  and 
speech  became  audible,  the  cracked  voice  of  Binit 
sounded  again. 

"Now,  my  little  lady,  be  reasonable.     Harm  you? 


188  BELSHAZZAR, 

Binit  and  Gudea  and  their  dear  friend  Tabni  harm  a 
pretty  dove  like  you  ?  We  would  not  ruffle  a  feather 
for  a  talent  of  gold.  Cease  crying,  then  ;  listen." 

Ruth's  spasms  of  sobbing  ended  ;  not  because  she 
was  in  the  least  comforted,  but  through  utter 
exhaustion. 

"  You  are  driving  me  to  the  palace,  are  you  not  ?  " 
was  her  trembling  question.  "  Are  you  servants  of 
Mermaza  ?  " 

Even  in  the  dark  she  could  see  Binit  throw  up  her 
nose  in  a  crackling  laugh. 

"  Servants  of  Mermaza  ?  The  last  person  in  Baby 
lon  we  wish  to  see  at  present  is  the  4  Master  of  the 
Eunuchs.'  Eh,  Tabni?" 

"You  are  right,  by  Nergal  ! "  snickered  the 
charmer. 

"  Where,  then,  are  you  taking  me  ?  "  moaned  Ruth, 
in  nowise  reassured. 

"To  a  river  boat  that  waits  us." 

Ruth  made  a  desperate  effort  to  speak  calmly. 
"  You  imagine  I  am  handsome,  and  will  fetch  a  great 
price  as  a  slave.  My  father  is  in  prison,  but  he  has 
rich  friends.  -They  will  pay  any  ransom  you  can 
ask  within  reason." 

"  You  a  slave  ?  "  howled  Binit ;  "  Istar  forefend 
the  thought  !  Do  you  think  us  as  heartless  as 
Ninkigal  ?  " 

"  By  any  god  or  demon  you  fear,  if  indeed  you  fear 
any,"  implored  the  Jewess,  "  tell  me,  then,  for  what 
you  have  seized  me  ?  " 


THE   WISE   GUDEA   PROSPERS  189 

Binit  laughed  and  screamed  again.  "  Verily,  you 
are  affrighted.  Why  have  we  taken  you  ?  Because 
his  Majesty  loves  you,  to  be  sure." 

Ruth  was  smitten  dumb  by  her  agony.  Binit 
merely  grinned  through  the  gloom,  and  continued  : 
"  You  are  asking  why  we  make  for  the  river  boat. 
Hearken,  then.  From  the  time  my  pious  Gudea 
parted  with  Avil-Marduk,  after  most  surly  threats 
on  the  high  priest's  part,  somewhat  has  seemed  need 
ful  to  restore  us  to  the  king's  good  graces  ;  for  since 
the  examination  of  your  most  noble  father  —  "  A 
faint  groan  from  the  Jewess  induced  even  Binit  to 
forbear,  and  she  changed  her  thread  of  narration. 

"Now,  if  we  were  to  drive  you  straight  to  the 
palace,  what  would  happen  ?  Out  would  bustle  my 
lord  Mermaza,  and  take  you  from  us,  and  away 
you  would  vanish  in  the  king's  harem,  —  while  we 
would  be  left  with  cold  thanks  and  perchance  a 
poor  gift  of  five  shekels.  But  my  Gudea  is  rightly 
called  4The  Wise.'  His  design  is  this  :  Tabni  and 
I  put  you  on  a  river  barge,  and  embark,  professing 
that  you  are  my  slave-maid.  We  take  you  up 
stream  to  a  quiet  village  near  Sippar,  where  Tabni 
has  a  brother-in-law  who  will  be  hospitable.  When 
we  are  well  on  our  way,  Gudea,  who  remains  in 
Babylon,  goes  straight  to  the  king.  c  Lord,'  he  will 
say,  '  I  can  get  you  your  Jewess.  She  is  no  longer 
at  Borsippa.'  His  Majesty  questions,  and  Gudea  will 
answer,  4  Lord,  I  cannot  tell  you  where  the  maid 
is  hidden,  but  pay  me  ten  talents  and  I  swear  I 


190  BELSHAZZAR 

can  produce  her.'  The  king  rejoices  to  get  you 
thus  cheaply  ;  you  will  too  rejoice,  as  soon  as  you 
learn  the  sweets  of  being  his  favourite;  and  we  re 
joice,  dividing  the  riches.  Surely,  Gudea  is  a  most 
wise  man  !  " 

If  a  second  groan  from  Ruth  meant  assent  to 
this  assertion,  Binit  was  rewarded.  Not  iron,  but 
ice,  had  entered  into  the  young  girl's  soul.  She  sat 
on  the  cushions,  in  helpless  misery,  while  Gudea 
lashed  and  cursed  at  the  horses. 

"  But  the  seal  —  the  letter  from  Isaiah  ?  "  Ruth 
at  last  plucked  up  courage  to  ask. 

"  Ah  ! "  chirruped  Binit,  "  for  that  we  must 
thank  the  excellent  Tabni.  Luck  sent  him  a  letter 
from  Isaiah  his  way;  and  even  you  must  confess 
that  he  imitated  the  hand  cleverly,  and  cut  a  new 
seal  that  would  pass  in  the  faint  light  when  we 
showed  it  to  Imbi-Ilu." 

A  third  groan,  and  for  a  long  time  Ruth  gave 
not  another  sound.  It  was  a  long  drive  across 
the  breadth  of  Babylon,  from  the  Borsippa  suburb 
on  the  extreme  southwest,  to  the  river.  Ruth  hoped 
against  hope  that  there  might  be  a  rescue.  Imbi- 
Ilu  was  not  a  man  to  sit  down  helpless  before  a  fraud 
like  this.  But  as  the  carriage  sped  onward,  this 
tiny  gleam  of  hope  sank  to  a  faint  spark  indeed. 

Once,  in  fact,  as  the  horses'  hoofs  beat  hollow 
upon  the  bridge  crossing  a  canal,  they  were  sud 
denly  halted.  It  was  the  guard-house  marking 
the  octroi  limit  to  the  inner  city.  Voices  sounded 


THE  WISE   GUDEA  PROSPERS  191 

and  a  lantern  light  flashed  through  the  wicker 
body  of  the  carriage. 

"  You  are  late,"  a  gruff  soldier's  voice  was 
grumbling.  "Few  honest  people  drive  at  such  an 
hour.  I  must  search  your  carriage,  lest  you  bring 
in  something  liable  to  lgate  money.' ' 

Ruth  started  from  her  lethargy,  opened  her 
lips  for  a  scream,  when,  before  a  sound  could  escape, 
Binit's  fingers  squeezed  her  neck. 

"  Not  a  twitter  !  "  murmured  the  wailer,  hoarsely, 
"though  you  strangle." 

"Friend,"  spoke  Gudea,  naught  abashed,  "I 
have  nothing  taxable  and  am  in  great  haste." 

They  heard  the  chink  of  a  bit  of  silver,  an  appeased 
grunt  from  the  official,  the  lash  whistled,  and  the 
horses  went  forward  with  a  bound.  Ruth  was 
gasping  before  Emit  relaxed  her  hold. 

"Fool,"  snapped  the  latter,  "had  the  guard 
taken  you,  what  profit  to  you  ?  Would  he  not  have 
sent  you  straight  to  the  king  ?  " 

So  they  hastened  onward,  Ruth  seeing  nothing 
of  all  the  silent  streets  and  market  squares  they 
threaded.  Presently  they  rattled  over  brick  pave 
ments,  and  she  knew  they  were  on  the  quays. 
Then  the  carriage  halted  with  a  jerk,  voices  sounded 
again,  and  Gudea  thrust  open  the  door. 

"Out  with  you,"  he  ordered,  "the  boat  has 
waited  long,  and  the  captain  is  cursing  and  impa 
tient  !  " 

"  But  the  girl  must  be  painted,"  objected  Binit. 


192  BELSHAZZAR 

"  Haste,  then.  Ea  knows  what  will  befall  if  Imbi 
raises  the  alarm." 

They  were  in  the  muddy  courtyard  of  a  ware 
house,  the  thatched  lofts  and  storerooms  rising  in 
the  blackness  on  every  side  ;  two  or  three  swarthy 
boatmen  were  standing  by  in  the  light  of  a  pair  of 
flickering  torches.  Emit  drew  her  prisoner's  mantle 
until  it  covered  the  face. 

"  Now,  my  gosling,"  squeaked  she  in  an  ear,  "  one 
little  cry,  and  you  feel  this  tingle  !  "  And  she 
followed  up  her  word  by  pricking  the  Jewess's 
neck  with  the  tip  of  a  very  keen  knife. 

Ruth  was  silent  while  Binit  hurried  her  up  a 
dark  stairway  to  an  upper  loft,  full  of  straw.  And 
there,  by  an  uncertain  rushlight,  she  tore  off  the 
girl's  white  dress,  not  neglecting  to  appropriate 
two  valuable  rings  on  Ruth's  fingers,  smeared  the 
Jewess's  body  with  a  red  cosmetic  that  gave  her 
the  hue  of  a  sun-tanned  peasant ;  and  finally,  to 
complete  a  transformation,  which  she  accomplished 
with  a  dexterity  worthy  of  a  loftier  cause,  threw 
over  her  the  soiled  and  sombre  garments  suitable  to 
a  slave-girl. 

"  A  proper  serving-maid  in  truth,  by  Istar  !  " 
asserted  Binit,  surveying  her  work,  while  Gudea 
summoned  from  below,  "  Haste  !  The  boat  is  de 
parting." 

Binit  let  the  cold  edge  of  the  knife  touch  Ruth's 
throat  yet  a  second  time.  "  Remember,"  was  her 
warning,  "  to  the  boatmen  you  are  my  maid.  Chatter 


THE  WISE   GUDEA  PKOSPERS  193 

otherwise  — "  but  she  did  not  complete  the  promise  ; 
the  dumb,  scared  expression  on  Ruth's  face  was 
token  that  the  threat  had  gone  home. 

From  the  warehouse  Tabni  and  Gudea  accom 
panied  them  to  the  quay,  where,  amid  a  score  of 
dark  masts  and  hulks,  they  sought  a  low-lying, 
clumsy  river  barge.  The  exorcist  aided  the  others 
aboard,  while  the  six  boatmen  were  loosing  the 
tackling. 

"  We  have  waited  two  «  double  hours,'  "  swore  the 
master,  "for  your  wife  and  her  accursed  wench. 
Another  half  shekel,  or  I  thrust  you  all  ashore  !  " 

"  With  gladness,  good  captain,"  quoth  Gudea, 
complying,  and  feeling  very  generous  with  so  much 
of  the  king's  silver  prospectively  his  own. 

"  And  you  will  not  promise  to  give  the  king  our 
treasure,"  enjoined  Binit,  in  a  whisper,  "  for  less 
than  ten  talents,  not  though  he  rage,  and  talk  of 
calling  for  Khatin." 

"  By  Nergal,  surely  not !  I  will  begin  by  demand 
ing  twenty  —  " 

His  words  ended  with  a  cry.  There  was  a  splash 
over  the  low  gunwale  into  the  sluggish  water  that 
crept  around  the  quay,  and  a  wide  ripple  spread  out 
under  the  starlight.  In  a  trice  the  three  friends 
began  to  tear  their  hair  and  howl  piteously. 

"  Overboard  !  "  groaned  Tabni,  rending  his  man 
tle.  "  Lost !  " 

"  No,  madness,"  exhorted  the  captain,  coolly,  "  it, 
was  only  your  maid  that  missed  her  balance.  She 


194  BELSHAZZAK 

will  drift  beneath  the  quay  and  drown.  But  another 
as  good  is  only  ten  shekels  in  the  market !  " 

"  Ten  talents  ! "  shrieked  Binit ;  and  she  would 
have  leaped  in  after,  but  the  boatman  dragged  her 
back  fiercely. 

"  Do  not  rave,"  he  commanded ;  "  none  of  you  can 
swim.  She  rises  yonder  a  second  time.  Well,  I 
will  save  her  for  five  shekels." 

"  Yours  !  Yours  !  Only  save  !  "  came  from  the 
three  in  a  breath  ;  while  Binit  threw  her  mantle 
over  her  head,  and  screamed  and  moaned. 

The  boatman  flung  off  his  garment,  plunged  over 
board,  and  presently, — though  it  taxed  all  his  art, — 
he  was  seen  plashing  alongside,  upbearing  the  Jew 
ess.  She  was  unconscious  when  they  laid  her  on 
the  deck,  and  it  was  no  easy  matter  to  revive  her. 
At  the  first  gasps  of  returning  life,  Binit  hastened 
her  down  into  the  little  stern  cabin,  rejoicing  all  the 
while  that,  thanks  to  the  excellence  of  the  cosmetic, 
it  had  not  yielded  to  the  water,  and  the  boatman 
could  have  discovered  nothing. 

"  She  is  safe  ?  "  demanded  Gudea,  anxiously,  when 
his  wife  reappeared,  leaving  Tabni  down  below. 

"  Safe,  praised  be  Istar  ;  but  she  must  hate  the 
king  terribly  to  prefer  suicide  to  his  harem.  How 
we  must  watch  her  !  And  remember  the  price,  — 
ten  talents,  nothing  less." 

"  Nothing  less,"  assented  Gudea ;  then  he  gave  the 
master  his  promised  bounty,  and  leaped  ashore. 

The  hawsers  were  cast  loose  ;  the  six  sturdy  boat- 


THE  WISE  GUDEA  PROSPERS  195 

men  thrust  out  their  long  sweeps,  and  worked  the 
barge  slowly  into  the  current,  where  the  soft  night 
wind,  puffing  from  the  distant  southern  gulf,  bellied 
out  the  huge  square  sail,  and  the  barge  began  crawl 
ing  northward  over  the  black  water.  Soon  it  would 
be  past  the  river  gates,  and  furlongs  away  from 
Babylon.  The  exorcist  stood  watching  the  receding 
boat  for  a  long  time,  from  the  deserted  quay. 

"  Ten  talents,"  he  repeated,  "  are  ours  as  surely  as 
Samas  will  rise  with  his  sun  to-morrow.  Verily, 
O  Gudea,  the  gods  have  planted  in  you  a  most 
clever  heart ! " 

And  then,  being  a  very  pious  man,  he  vowed  three 
white  heifers  to  Marduk  out  of  gratitude  for  this 
high  favour. 


wwwp  GUDEA  FARES  ON  A 


CHAPTER  XIII 

LONG  after  the  easy  heaving  of  the  boat  on  the 
choppy  waves  told  that  they  were  well  on 
their  journey,  Ruth  continued  to  struggle  and 
moan. 

"  I  swear  to  you,"  she  would  cry  again  and  again 
to  Binit,  "  I  swear  by  the  awful  name  of  my  father's 
God,  that  if  the  chance  come  again,  I  will  fling  my 
self  in  the  river.  Death  is  sweet  beside  passing  into 
Belshazzar's  cruel  clutch.  Before  the  throne  of  the 
Most  High  God,  whose  ear  is  open  to  the  cry  of  the 
innocent,  I  will  stand  and  curse  you  !  " 

"  Hush  !  "  vainly  exhorted  Binit ;  "  think  of  being 
his  Majesty's  favourite,- — the  jewels,  the  dresses,  the 
eunuchs  to  serve  you  !  " 

"  Away  with  them  !  "  groaned  the  Jewess  ;  "  if 
indeed  Belshazzar  shall  love  me  so  well  as  to  grant 
me  one  boon,  it  shall  be  this,  to  ask  the  heads  of  you 
two,  and  of  Gudea." 

"  Be  still ! "  warned  the  wailer,  producing  her 
knife;  "the  boatmen  will  hear  you." 

But,  helpless  as  Ruth  seemed,  she  was  not  utterly 
devoid  of  understanding.  "  You  dare  not !  "  she 

196 


GUDEA  FARES   ON  A  JOURNEY         197 

challenged  defiantly,  "  dare  not  !  Will  the  king 
give  a  shekel  for  my  dead  body  ?  " 

Tabni  produced  from  his  girdle  a  little  flask  of 
blue  Phoenician  vitrium.  "  We  must  quiet  her,"  he 
remarked  grimly  to  Binit,  "  or  there  is  trouble  yet. 
She  must  sleep." 

The  captive  resisted,  but  her  guards  forced  down 
the  liquor  by  thrusting  a  blade  betwixt  her  teeth. 
The  draught  burned  like  fire  on  Ruth's  tongue,  but, 
once  swallowed,  she  felt  a  fearful  languor  creeping 
over  her.  Vain  to  resist  it :  her  eyelids  became 
heavy  as  lead,  and  even  the  pain  in  her  heart  ceased 
galling.  It  was  not  long  before  her  heavy  breath 
ing  told  that  she  slumbered. 

"  What  has  ailed  your  maid  ?  "  demanded  a  surly 
boatman  from  above.  "You  made  wondrous  ado 
over  such  a  slattern  !  " 

"  Alas,"  whimpered  Binit,  "  the  poor  thing  is  tor 
mented  by  most  horrible  4  sickness-fiends '  ;  I  feel 
for  her  as  for  my  own  daughter." 

Then  the  good  woman,  having  arranged  with 
Tabni  to  take  turns  watching  their  precious  charge 
through  the  night,  composed  herself  also  for  slumber. 

But  Ruth,  as  she  slept,  had  all  the  fair  and  lovely 
things  that  had  hitherto  made  up  the  gladsome 
world  of  her  guileless  life,  return  to  her.  Her  father, 
her  mother,  who  had  become  only  a  memory  while 
she  was  yet  a  little  child,  and  Isaiah,  —  all  were 
there.  Then  she  dreamed  that  some  one  spoke  to 
her,  "  Belshazzar  the  sinful  lies  with  the  dead  ;  his 


198  BELSHAZZAE 

power  is  vanished  forever."  And  she  walked  in  a 
strange  city,  not  Babylon  ;  and  Isaiah  was  at  her 
side,  while  all  around  were  fair  and  lofty  mountains. 
Isaiah's  hand  was  in  hers,  she  knew  she  was  his  wife, 
and  he  said  to  her,  "  Behold  Jerusalem  !  the  city 
which  God  gives  back  to  us  !  Here  is  our  home, 
and  let  us  be  glad  together  !  "  Before  them  was 
a  stately  temple,  but  not  that  of  Nabu  or  Marduk. 
Whereupon  Isaiah  said  :  "  Let  us  enter  in  and  give 
thanks  to  the  good  Lord  God."  But  just  as  she 
was  passing  within  the  gates,  her  whole  being 
quivering  with  rapturous  joy,  the  sweet  dream 
ended  ;  and  she  was  lying  on  a  rude  straw  pallet, 
and  awakening  —  where  ?  .  .  . 

A  sudden  rasping  of  tackling  plucked  her  down 
from  paradise  to  the  nethermost  abyss.  There  was 
a  thin  streak  of  twilight  stealing  through  the  open 
hatch.  Near  her  was  stretched  Tabni,  snoring  a 
little  louder  than  a  bull.  Her  misery  returned  to 
the  Jewess  in  one  awful  surge  ;  she  pressed  her 
hands  to  her  face.  "  Lord  God,  if  indeed  Thou  hast 
any  power  at  all,  have  pity,"  was  her  murmured 
prayer,  "  and  let  me  die  !  "  But  a  rustle  at  her  side 
proclaimed  the  presence  of  Binit.  "  The  little  mis 
tress,"  purred  the  woman,  "is  awaking  refreshed 
and  happy  ?  " 

Ruth  did  not  answer.  "  Be  comforted,"  continued 
the  wailer ;  "  we  shall  reach  our  destination  by  noon, 
and  there  we  shall  all  delight  to  serve  you.  Here, 
Tabni,"  rousing  the  "  charmer  "  with  a  kick, "  go  on 


GUDEA   FAKES   ON  A  JOURNEY         199 

deck,  bring  the  lady  some  sweet  wine  and  the  cakes 
of  fine  barley  I  provided.  She  is  faint." 

Grumbling,  and  rubbing  his  eyes,  the  other  was 
about  to  comply,  when  a  frightful  howl  from  the 
deck  above  made  captors  and  captive  startle  together. 
A  second  howl  was  followed  by  a  distant  shout  and 
yell,  then  in  turn  by  a  furious  clatter  of  the  oars 
upon  their  thole-pins. 

"  Marduk  defend  us !  "  cried  Binit,  the  most 
frightened  of  the  three,  "what  happens?  Up, 
Tabni  — "  more  words  were  drowned  by  the  simul 
taneous  bellows  of  the  six  boatmen, "  Save,  O  Nergal, 
save  I  "  all  the  time  they  were  working  their  sweeps 
like  madmen,  while  the  great  sail  came  down  with 
a  crash  that  made  the  barge  quiver  from  stem  to 
stern. 

Tabni  thrust  his  head  from  the  hatchway,  cast 
his  single  eye  about  in  the  morning  half-light,  then 
added  his  voice  to  the  yell  of  terror. 

"  Will  you  destroy  me  ?  "  implored  Binit.  "  What 
has  befallen  ?  "  But  Ruth  lay  perfectly  still ;  at 
that  moment  she  was  thinking  that  no  human  ill 
could  make  her  condition  worse. 

Tabni  dropped  from  his  station,  his  face  the  colour 
of  a  whited  tile.  His  jaws  twitched  so  that  he  could 
scarce  utter  a  syllable ;  then  came  two  words,  "  River 
thieves  !  " 

"  River  thieves  ?  "  groaned  Binit,  leaping  up  as 
if  she  had  sat  on  an  adder. 

"  Their  boats  are  hard  after  us.     Two  skiffs,  ten 


200  BELSHAZZAB, 

men  in  each.  The  bargemen  are  straining  to  make 
for  shore.  Then  they  will  only  lose  the  boat. 
Woe  !  woe  !  If  we  are  taken  —  " 

A  prolonged  screech  from  Emit,  who  practised 
her  art  in  very  earnest  now,  drowned  out  Tabni's 
own  noise.  In  the  first  instant  of  silence  the  voice 
of  the  barge  captain  thundered :  "  Up,  all  of  you, 
if  you  would  save  liberty.  Fling  these  wine-jars 
overboard,  as  quickly  as  if  the  Maskim  were  fol 
lowing  ! " 

With  feverish  haste  Binit  led  or  rather  carried  the 
Jewess  to  the  deck.  A  glance  told  the  whole  story. 
Out  from  the  bank  of  gray  morning  mist  that  clung 
over  a  stagnant  lagoon  near  the  eastern  bank 
were  shooting  two  long  reed  boats,  full  of  armed 
men,  who  came  straight  on  toward  the  luckless 
barge.  The  boatmen  had  dropped  the  sail,  as  useless 
in  the  morning  calm,  and  were  pulling  with  de 
spairing  energy  toward  the  western  shore,  in  hopes 
of  escaping  to  land,  where  they  could  save  their 
freedom,  though  the  barge  was  doomed  as  plunder. 

"Every  plague-fiend  pounce  on  you,  woman," 
was  the  captain's  greeting  to  Binit,  while  he  sweated 
over  his  oar  ;  "  it  was  waiting  for  you  that  delayed 
us  and  gave  these  scorpions  their  chance."  And 
even  while  he  spoke,  a  whoop  of  triumph  pealed 
across  the  glassy  river,  and  two  arrows  splashed 
under  the  barge's  stern. 

Yet,  despite  all  the  master's  cursings  and  rage, 
Binit  would  not  aid  Tabni  in  thrusting  the  cargo 


GUDEA   FAKES  ON   A  JOURNEY         201 

overboard,  but  simply  sat  on  a  bale,  clutching  tight 
hold  of  Ruth. 

"Ten  talents,"  the  wailer  was  repeating,  even 
while  her  knees  beat  together,  "  ten  talents,  if  only 
I  can  hold  you  fast  !  " 

A  third  arrow  dug  into  the  deck,  and  the  boat 
men  put  forth  their  last  strength.  But  the  two 
skiffs  were  flying  three  cubits  to  their  two.  Already 
they  could  see  the  white  teeth  and  wolfish  bright 
eyes  of  the  bandits. 

"  Yield,  yield  as  you  love  your  lives  !  "  bawled 
many  shrill  voices.  A  new  flight  of  arrows  smote 
down  a  rower,  but  at  this  instant  the  barge  thumped 
on  a  mud-bank  close  to  the  western  shore,  and  stuck 
fast. 

"  Save  yourselves  ! "  was  the  last  shout  of  the 
captain,  and  he  with  his  remaining  men  dashed 
through  the  shallow  water,  and,  scrambling  up  the 
low  bank,  were  soon  on  shore,  flying  inland  at  full 
speed,  leaving  their  passengers  to  the  mercy  of  fate. 

"  Come,  little  lady  !  "  Binit  commanded  ;  but 
Ruth  hung  perfectly  limp  on  her  arms,  and  Tabni 
and  the  woman  lifted  her  and  tugged  her  to  the  shore. 

"  Run  !  "  exhorted  they,  setting  the  Jewess  on 
her  feet. 

There  was  no  time  to  be  lost.  The  bandits, 
leaving  the  barge  to  plunder  later,  paddled  straight 
up  to  the  embankment,  and  were  in  pursuit  in  a 
twinkling.  "  Three  prizes  !  After  them  !  "  was  the 
general  yell. 


202  BELSHAZZAR 

44  Run  I "  commanded  Binit  again,  when  Ruth 
still  dragged  helplessly.  And  at  the  word  she 
relaxed  for  a  trifle  her  grasp.  In  an  instant  the 
Jewess  had  glided  out  of  it,  and  wheeled,  as  if  in 
bewildered  terror,  straight  toward  the  robbers. 

"  Ten  talents  lost !  "  And  Binit  gave  the  loudest 
screech  of  all  her  noisy  life. 

By  instinct  she  and  Tabni  turned  to  recover  their 
prisoner,  but  arrows  flew  out  to  greet  them,  and  in  a 
moment  Binit  was  moaning  in  a  heap,  as  a  shaft 
grazed  her  shoulder,  while  ten  rough  hands  were 
securing  the  charmer,  and  as  many  more  were  hold 
ing  Ruth.  Then  twenty  tongues  wagged  all  to 
gether,  shouting,  cursing,  laughing,  questioning  ; 
until,  the  breath  of  the  robbers  having  failed,  they 
dragged  their  three  captives  back  to  the  barge, 
which  they  speedily  rifled  with  a  thoroughness  born 
of  long  experience. 

Only  when  the  first  flush  of  victory  had  spent 
itself  did  some  order  become  apparent,  and  the  late 
kidnappers,  with  their  victims,  were  ranged  before  an 
enormous  Amorite,  rings  in  nose  and  ears,  jewels  all 
over  his  tawdry  dress,  a  tremendous  spiked  mace 
flourishing  in  his  fingers. 

Binit  was  so  frightened  that  she  had  ceased  howl 
ing  ;  Tabni  held  down  his  head  as  if  avoiding  scru 
tiny  ;  while  Ruth  remained  in  perfect  silence,  as  if 
dumbness  were  her  last  refuge. 

"Well,  my  brothers,"  commented  the  leader, 
surveying  the  three,  and  pulling  reflectively  at  his 


GUDEA  FAKES   ON  A  JOURNEY         203 

nose  ring,  "the  gods  reward  us  for  the  morning's 
toil.  These  good  folk  seem  to  be  worth  little  for 
ransoms,  but,  praised  be  Moloch  !  there  are  Ara 
bian  caravan  merchants  in  the  next  village  ahead, 
who,  if  they  have  not  started  for  Egypt,  will  give 
silver  shekels  for  three  such  likely  slaves." 

The  announcement  drew  forth  a  new  spasm  of 
screams  from  Binit,  who  cast  herself  at  the  Amo- 
rite's  feet. 

"  Oh,  kind,  handsome,  generous  lord  !  "  she  en 
treated,  "  do  not  sell  to  Egypt.  See,  I  am  wounded ; 
I  cannot  work  ;  I  shall  die  under  the  whip  !  " 

"  Now,  by  the  Maskim,"  swore  the  giant,  "  this  is 
the  first  time  for  long  I  have  been  '  kind  or  hand 
some  '  to  man  or  maid  ! "  And  he  with  his  fellows 
brayed  together  with  laughter. 

"  Pity  us,"  thrust  in  Tabni,  stretching  forth  his 
hands  beseechingly.  "  I  cannot  labour.  Alas  !  I  am 
old  ;  soon  I  must  make  my  peace  with  Ea,  and  pre 
pare  to  die." 

But  as  he  spoke,  a  bandit  leaped  forth  before  the 
rest.  "Do  you  not  know  me,  Tabni,  you  half -blind 
coney?  —  Eri-Aku  the  Elamite,  whom  you  drove 
into  this  life  by  your  false  accusations  of  murder. 
Great  mercy  if  I  do  not  commit  murder  in  truth  ! 
Give  me  leave,  comrades  —  " 

He  brandished  his  sword  over  the  quivering 
charmer's  head,  but  his  companions  plucked  him 
back,  while  the  leader  set  eyes  on  Ruth. 

"  Comely   for  a   swart   peasant   maiden,"    he   re- 


204  BELSHAZZAK, 

marked,  "  but  her  limbs  are  frail  as  lily  stems.  She 
cannot  work." 

"  Deliver  her  to  me,  noble  captain,"  suggested 
Eri-Aku  ;  "  my  hut  in  the  marshes  needs  a  likely 
wench  like  her." 

The  blood  came  tingling  into  the  Jewess's  face, 
and  crimsoned  almost  under  her  reddened  skin,  as 
the  Elamite's  words  and  leer  smote  her.  But  the 
captain  shook  his  head. 

"All  captives  must  be  sold  for  the  good  of  the 
band.  She  goes  to  the  Arabians  like  the  rest." 

Binit  commenced  to  bawl  out  something  to  the 
effect  that  this  was  no  ordinary  serving-maid,  and 
that  the  king  would  give  for  her  riches  untold.  But 
alas  for  the  waller's  craftiness,  Ruth  looked  any 
thing  but  the  favourite  of  Belshazzar,  thanks  to  the 
cosmetic ;  while  to  Binit's  signs  and  grimaces  to  her 
to  declare  herself,  she  answered  not  one  word. 

"  The  woman  raves  !  "  declared  the  Amorite,  and 
he  ordered  his  men  to  gag  Binit  and  Tabni,  and 
haste  away,  for  there  was  no  telling  how  soon  a 
king's  bireme  might  be  up  the  river,  and  their  situ 
ation  become  awkward. 

Therefore  three  captives  spent  the  morning  very 
disconsolately,  paddling  northward  by  hidden  ca 
nals  and  watercourses  in  the  bandits'  skiffs.  The 
sun  was  broiling  them  at  noon  when  the  robbers 
landed  at  a  squalid  mud  village,  where  the  Arab 
caravan  train  was  halting.  Fifty  odd  grumbling, 
dirty-brown  camels  were  kneeling  on  the  slough  of 


GUDEA   FARES   ON  A  JOURNEY         205 

the  little  square,  while  their  drivers  adjusted  the 
last  bales  of  Babylonish  carpets  and  Indian  mus 
lins  that  had  just  come  up  from  the  gulf.  The 
Amorite  marched  his  prisoners  before  the  master  of 
the  troop,  and  the  bargain  was  not  long  in  making. 

"  These  people  were  come  by  honestly  ?  "  quoth 
the  merchant,  with  one  eye  in  his  head,  for  he  knew 
his  man. 

"  Honestly,  by  Moloch  !  "  and  the  Amorite  swore 
an  oath  loud  enough  to  make  up  for  all  its  other 
shortcomings. 

"  But  these  two,"  objected  the  Arab,  jerking  a 
thumb  towards  Binit  and  Tabni,  "are  too  old  for 
hard  toil.  The  risk  on  the  desert  is  great.  I  can 
spare  little  water.  Of  the  three,  one  is  sure  to  die." 

"  Consider  how  cheaply  you  get  them.  The  three, 
and  only  forty  shekels  !  " 

"  Not  unreasonable,  but  they  look  most  sluggish 
for  field  work." 

"  'Much  scourging,  much  labour ! ' "  answered  the 
chief,  "so  runs  the  old  proverb." 

"  The  Egyptian  taskmasters  remember  that,  by 
Baal !  "  cried  the  Arab,  gleefully,  while  he  counted 
out  the  sum  ;  then,  with  a  sudden  glance  at  one  of  his 
subordinates,  a  low-browed  young  fellow:  "Verily, 
what  ails  you,  Shaphat  ?  Have  these  creatures  the 
evil  eye,  that  you  gape  at  them  so  ?  " 

The  man  addressed  only  shuffled  away,  remarking 
"  that  he  had  known  something  about  the  prisoners 
in  Babylon,  and  would  tell  the  leader  later." 


206  BELSHAZZAE 

The  Amorite  and  his  following  went  their  ways, 
rejoicing  in  the  good  fortune  the  god  of  gain  had 
sent  them.  The  Arabs  tied  their  new  passenger 
upon  the  backs  of  camels,  and  the  caravan  started ; 
but  it  did  not  move  rapidly.  First  a  camel  went 
lame,  then  a  girth  broke  and  let  a  heavy  load  tumble, 
then  a  donkey  broke  loose  and  was  captured  with 
difficulty.  Night  caught  the  caravan  at  a  second 
little  village  only  a  few  furlongs  above  the  first. 

The  master  of  the  Arabs  was  a  discerning  man, 
and  he  presently  called  Shaphat  aside,  and  pointed 
to  the  youngest  prisoner, 

"You  act  strangely,  fellow,"  declared  the  mer 
chant  ;  "  did  you  know  this  girl  in  Babylon  ?  When 
I  engaged  you,  I  understood  you  were  a  Jew,  once 
servant  of  the  imprisoned  minister,  Daniel.  To  my 
mind,  this  maid  is  of  your  own  race." 

"  You  are  right,"  was  the  seemingly  frank  answer. 
"  She  is  a  Jewess,  and  at  some  time  I  have  met  her 
in  the  city  ;  but  I  forget  at  whose  house  she  may 
have  been  servant.  As  you  see,  she  is  comely. 
Treat  her  well,  and  she  will  bring  twice  the  price 
of  the  two  others.  And  do  not  bind  her.  Who 
dreams  that  a  frail  thing  such  as  she  can  run  away?" 

"  You  speak  well ;  she  shall  not  be  bound  ;  but 
cease  making  eyes  at  her.  Her  good  looks  are  not 
for  such  as  you."  Whereupon  Shaphat  professed 
himself  all  obedience. 

That  night  Ruth  lay  alone  upon  a  dirty  truss  of 
straw  in  a  village  hut,  while  without  great  camels 


GUDEA  FARES   ON  A  JOURNEY         207 

grunted,  dogs  bayed  the  moon,  and  watchmen  trolled 
coarse  ditties.  First  one  calamity  had  thronged  upon 
her,  then  another,  from  the  moment  Isaiah  took  her 
from  her  father's  house,  only  an  hour  ago  it  seemed. 
She  had  long  since  passed  beyond  the  solace  of  tears. 
She  had  striven  to  pray.  Her  whispered  words 
seemed  only  to  awaken  echoes  of  mockery.  Either 
Jehovah  was  Himself  a  fiend,  or  He  was  helpless, 
Bel-Marduk  His  master.  Once  a  terrible  thought 
crossed  her  mind.  She  would  curse  Jehovah,  she 
would  cry  to  Marduk,  to  Istar,  and  to  Ramman  ;  the 
Babylonians  called  on  them  and  prospered,  why 
might  not  she  ?  —  what  good  thing  had  Jehovah 
granted,  that  she  should  love  Him  ?  But  at  the 
suggestion  all  the  strong  forces  of  the  Jewess's 
nature  rose  in  rebellion  within  her.  Should  she, 
the  daughter  of  Daniel,  the  betrothed  of  Isaiah, 
near  and  dear  to  two  men  who  were  perilling  their 
lives  for  the  sake  of  Jehovah,  be  the  one  to  doubt  ? 
No,  though  the  present  ills  waxed  tenfold  worse,  if 
such  a  thing  might  be !  And  presently,  it  seemed 
as  if  out  of  the  night  a  voice  was  speaking,  and  she 
heard  it,  while  an  awful  stillness  was  reigning  in 
her  heart,  —  the  words  of  the  psalm  of  her  people, 
the  song  of  David  when  God  delivered  him  from 
the  murderous  hand  of  Saul. 

"  The  Lord  is  my  rock,  and  my  fortress  and  my  deliverer : 
My  God,  my  strength,  in  whom  I  will  trust, 
My  buckler  and  the  horn  of  my  salvation,  and  my  high  tower. 
I  will  call  upon  the  Lord,  who  is  worthy  to  be  praised, 


208  BELSHAZZAR, 

So  shall  I  be  saved  from  mine  enemies. 
He  bowed  down  the  heavens  also,  and  came  down : 
And  darkness  was  under  his  feet. 

He  delivered  me  from  my  strong  enemy,  and  from  them  that 
hated  me." 

The  voice  was  gone.  The  camp  had  become  very 
still.  A  wondrous  peace  and  hope  seemed  to  have 
stolen  over  Ruth.  She  was  about  to  let  herself 
drift  away  into  the  arms  of  sleep,  knowing  by  her 
pure,  unreasoning  woman's  faith,  that  One  stronger 
than  father  or  lover  was  at  her  side  to  shield  from 
all  real  harm,  when  she  heard  a  guarded  footfall  on 
the  earthen  floor.  A  figure  of  a  man  darkened  the 
little  patch  of  black  violet  that  marked  the  door  ; 
then  he  spoke  :  — 

"  Lady  Ruth,  dearest  mistress,  do  you  not  know 
me?" 

It  was  the  voice  of  Shaphat. 

The  next  morning  the  master  of  the  caravan  and 
his  fellow  merchants  and  camel  drivers  were  scour 
ing  all  the  country  round  about.  They  began  at 
last  to  give  some  ear  to  the  frenzied  protestations  of 
Binit,  that  the  youngest  captive  was  indeed  a  prize 
for  the  king.  The  Jewish  servant,  who  had  hired 
himself  to  them  at  Babylon,  had  vanished  from  all 
sight,  taking  with  him  his  fellow  countrywoman  and 
a  round  little  bag  of  money.  But  the  merchants 
could  not  push  their  search  too  far,  for  the  village 
bailiffs  might  ask  them  to  explain  how  it  was  the 


GUDEA  FARES  ON   A  JOURNEY         209 

maid  had  passed  into  their  possession ;  and  if  they 
admitted  the  Amorites'  share  in  the  matter,  there 
might  be  more  disagreeable  questions  to  answer. 
Accordingly,  after  a  bootless  search  through  another 
day,  they  set  off  across  the  desert,  and  in  due  time 
Binit  and  Tabni  found  employers  in  the  Sais  slave- 
market,  who  taught  them  the  inconveniences  of  sloth 
in  Egyptian  field  labour. 

But  long  before  these  twain  had  reached  the  end 
of  their  wanderings,  their  confederate  Gudea  had 
been  started  on  a  yet  longer  journey,  with  even 
scantier  prospects  of  return.  Promptly  on  the 
morning  after  the  kidnapping,  he  had  bribed  his 
way  through  the  chamberlains  to  a  private  audience 
with  Belshazzar  himself.  As  expected,  the  king 
had  been  stormy  at  first,  but  ended  by  paying  the 
exorcist  two  talents  as  earnest  money,  with  promise 
of  eight  more  when  the  girl  Ruth  was  delivered. 
Gudea  promptly  sent  a  letter  up  river,  bidding 
Tabni  and  Binit  return  with  their  booty  in  all 
haste.  No  answer  ;  and  a  second  letter  had  no  better 
reply.  When  a  third  message  brought  nothing, 
Gudea  began  to  realize  that  his  associates  had  mis 
carried  in  some  unknown  manner  ;  while  the  king 
waxed  impatient,  and  hinted  that  the  earnest  money 
was  best  back  in  the  treasury.  Then  Gudea,  being  at 
his  wit's  end,  let  all  wisdom  forsake  him.  He  turned 
the  two  talents  into  gold,  and  strove  to  steal  out  of 
the  city  by  night,  hoping  to  save  at  least  this  fraction 
of  the  expected  booty.  But  the  crafty  gods  that  had 


210  BELSHAZZAE, 

thus  far  prospered  him,  at  this  moment  abandoned 
him.  He  was  arrested  at  the  Gate  of  the  Chaldees, 
by  command  of  Avil-Marduk,  who  had  not  forgotten 
the  affair  of  the  trial,  and  was  not  slow  in  informing 
Belshazzar  that  the  exorcist  had  tried  to  cheat  the 
monarch  himself.  The  case  before  the  high  justi- 
ciar  was  brought  to  a  speedy  issue,  for  the  defence 
was  the  lamest. 

"  Let  Gudea,  the  exorcist,"  sounded  the  sentence, 
"  die  the  death  by  the  iron  sword.  Let  his  head  be 
set  above  the  Gate  of  Ilu,  and  let  his  body  be  flung 
to  the  hyenas  and  ravens ;  so  shall  all  men  fear  to 
extort  money  deceitfully  from  our  lord  the  king." 

"Hearken,"  the  despairing  exorcist  had  howled, 
while  Khatin  and  two  assistants  pinioned  him,  before 
haling  him  from  the  tribunal  :  "  Am  I  not  the  most 
pious  wizard  in  Babylon  ?  Shall  I  sacrifice  to  all  the 
gods  for  nought  ?  " 

"  Off,  off  !  "  commanded  the  justiciar,  quitting  his 
seat ;  "  silence  this  babble  !  " 

Gudea  turned  to  Khatin,  struggling  vainly  to  free 
his  hands. 

"  Ah,  dearest  Khatin,  surely  you  will  not  let  me 
die.  Remember  all  the  pleasant  pots  we  have 
drained  together  at  Nur-Samas's  ;  remember  our 
pledges  of  friendship,  and  how  often  I  have  pro 
fessed  that  I  love  you  !  " 

"  And  do  I  not  love  you,  my  precious  jackal  ? " 
said  the  headsman,  with  a  snort.  "  Have  I  not 
many  a  time  said,  4  The  more  love  I  bear  a  man,  the 


GUDEA  FARES  ON  A  JOUKNEY         211 

more  joy  to  see  him  safely  ended.'  Bethink  you, 
sweet  friend,  is  it  not  pleasanter  to  slip  out  of  the 
world  with  the  delightful  whir  of  my  sword  singing 
in  your  ears,  than  to  depart  as  did  the  lamented 
Saruch,  with  Binit  and  yourself  howling  above 
him  ?  " 

"  Ah,"  whimpered  the  exorcist,  so  limp  now  that 
the  others  had  to  keep  him  on  his  legs,  "  it  is  not 
the  dying  only,  though  that  is  most  fearful  ;  but 
woe !  alas  !  despite  all  my  sacrifices,  what  will  not 
the  gods  do  to  me  ?  How  may  I  justify  myself  to 
Ea  ?  Allat  will  torture  me  eternally  !  " 

"Fie,  my  lovely  Gudea,"  belched  the  headsman, 
"  what  expectations  for  a  man  of  your  piety  !  Yet 
be  consoled ;  Ea  sends  every  soul  to  its  proper 
place,  and  even  Allat  can  be  little  less  handsome 
than  your  dearest  wife,  especially  when  Binit's  palm- 
wine  was  heady." 

"  Cursed  be  you  !  cursed  with  a  dying  man's  last 
curse  !  "  howled  Gudea,  all  hope  vanishing  now,  as 
they  dragged  him  away.  But  Khatin  only  answered 
with  his  mildest  chuckle  :  "  I  have  heard  that  music 
whistled  by  stouter  asses  than  you,  comrade.  But 
no  grudge  ;  I  must  drink  a  double  pot  to-night  at 
the  beer-house,  —  one  for  you,  one  for  me,  —  as 
token  of  how  I  shall  miss  you." 

But  Gudea's  only  answers  came  in  wordless  chat- 
terings.  And  how  it  prospered  him  on  the  rest  of  his 
long  journey  is  not  written,  even  in  the  wisest  book. 


.BELSHAZZAR  CHOOSES  HIS  PATH 


CHAPTER  XIV 

ON  the  same  night  that  Ruth  lay  down  to  sleep 
in  the  mud  cottage,  Atossa,  betrothed  of  Bel- 
shazzar, "  queen  designate  of  Sumer  and  Akkad  "  not 
to  add  titles  more,  was  pacing  the  leafy  avenues  of 
the  Hanging  Gardens.  As  the  summer  advanced 
she  had  been  removed  to  the  chambers  beneath  this 
mountain  forest,  from  the  sultrier  rooms  of  the  palace. 
Here,  with  the  cool  mould  and  the  ocean  of  tossing 
green  interposed  betwixt  her  and  the  parching  sun, 
one  could  almost  forget  that  out  in  the  dusty  world 
the  wretched  Jews  of  the  labour  gang  were  panting 
and  groaning,  that  all  the  fields  about  the  city  were 
searing  brown  with  the  pitiless  heat,  and  the  canals 
were  creeping  riverward  through  beds  half  empty. 
No  sensuous  delight  was  wanting  to  lull  the  Persian 
into  forgetfulness  of  the  past.  Belshazzar  had 
spared  nothing.  The  maids,  the  young  eunuchs,  that 
served  her  were  the  handsomest,  the  most  soft-footed 
and  skilful-handed  that  could  be  found  in  all  the 
slave-markets  betwixt  Carthage  and  India ;  the 
waters  that  sprayed  from  the  fountains  breathed  rare 
essences  and  Sabaean  nard.  There  were  fresh  flowers 

212 


BELSHAZZAR  CHOOSES   HIS   PATH       213 

sprinkled  each  morn  in  lieu  of  carpets,  and  a  cool 
wreath  always  ready  ;  the  fragrance  of  the  petals 
wafted  on  every  wind.  Each  day  they  brought  the 
mistress  some  new  dance,  or  some  new  music.  And 
in  the  evening,  after  the  sun's,  copper  ball  had  sunk 
behind  the  long  shadows  of  Imgur-Bel,  and  the  broad 
Euphrates  flashed  in  ever  darkening  ripples,  then  it 
was  joy  to  quit  the  lower  chambers  and  roam  over 
the  wondrous  garden  domain.  There  the  fireflies 
would  flit  out  with  their  beacons  from  behind  fern 
and  thicket,  and  the  nightingale  would  throb  and 
the  thrushes  whistle  from  their  safe  coverts  in  the 
trees,  till  the  night  seemed  one  enchantment,  and 
the  Hanging  Gardens  indeed  the  Chaldee's  "  Garden 
of  the  Blest." 

But  on  this  night  Atossa  was  not  watching  the 
stars  creep  out  of  the  feathery  palm  trees,  nor  knew 
she  the  silence  when  the  last  tired  bird  ceased  trill 
ing,  and  hid  his  head  behind  a  wing.  She  was 
waiting  for  Darius. 

Masistes  had  brought  her  the  message,  and  said  he 
had  it  from  Ariathes.  The  prince  would  meet  her 
in  the  Gardens  at  this  hour,  for  there  was  something 
of  weight  that  he  must  tell.  The  dangers,  said 
Ariathes,  had  all  been  foreseen  and  provided  for  ; 
there  could  come  no  peril.  As  for  Atossa,  she 
thought  very  little  of  the  dangers  or  of  anything  else, 
save  this  one  fact,  that  speedily  she  would  be  face  to 
face  with  the  man  she  loved. 

Atossa  was  alone  in  the  Gardens.     To  secure  the 


214  BELSHAZZAR 

solitude  had  been  easy.  Long  since  her  servants  had 
learned  that  the  Persian  desired  nothing  better  than 
to  be  left  alone  of  an  evening,  with  only  the  unseen 
birds,  the  whispering  trees,  and  the  friendly  stars  for 
her  company.  None  wondered  when  she  did  the  like 
this  evening.  The  Gardens  were  safe  as  the  harem, 
every  ingress  and  exit  guarded  below  by  soldiers. 
What  danger  to  let  her  roam  at  will  ? 

She  sat  upon  a  moss-bank,  and  felt  for  the  little 
cool  weeds  at  her  feet,  pulling  them  one  by  one. 
There  was  a  sweet  northeast  wind  crooning  over  the 
Gardens,  and  setting  all  the  groves  to  whispering. 
"  The  breeze  is  from  my  own  Iran,"  she  spoke  aloud, 
while  the  hidden  crickets  answered  her  ;  "  it  has 
blown  over  Ecbatana  and  Susa ;  it  has  kissed  the 
mouth  of  my  mother,  my  father  ;  it  bears  their  kisses 
to  me."  She  shook  her  coronal  of  golden  hair,  and 
let  the  soft  breeze  caress  her  neck.  The  Gardens 
were  growing  very  still.  Once  or  twice  arose  a  dis 
tant  chant  from  the  river  boatmen,  singing  as  they 
plied  their  oars.  Save  for  that,  she  might  have 
dreamed  herself  a  thousand  furlongs  removed  from 
human  kind.  As  the  silent  night  crept  onward  there 
spread  an  earthy  smell  about,  the  smell  of  green 
things  growing,  and  the  very  odour  made  the  breeze 
a  delight.  The  great  trees  above  her  head  contin 
ued  their  murmur,  —  the  cadence  just  varied  enough 
by  the  puffing  wind  to  make  music  sweeter  than  that 
of  harp  or  flute.  She  was  letting  the  dreamy  mood 
possess  her,  when  her  ear  caught  the  snap  of  a  twig 


BELSHAZZAK,  CHOOSES  HIS  PATH       215 

under  gentle  stepping  sandals.  Some  one  had 
mounted  the  privy  staircase  ;  a  form  was  approach 
ing  through  the  soft  darkness. 

Atossa  sprang  to  her  feet ;  she  gave  one  little  cry. 
The  stranger  bounded  toward  her  ;  and  she  heard 
the  voice  and  felt  the  touch  of  Darius,  son  of 
Hystaspes.  .  .  . 

They  sat  and  talked  together  upon  the  cool  moss, 
for  a  long  while,  in  tones  so  low  that  the  sage  old 
thrush  who  had  stirred  on  his  bough  over  their  two 
heads  gathered  nothing,  though  he  listened  long. 
But  at  last,  when  their  minds  passed  down  from 
heaven  to  earth,  their  voices  grew  stronger,  for  their 
lips  were  no  longer  so  near. 

"  Lady  mine,"  spoke  Darius,  his  strong  arm  still 
holding  fast,  "do  you  know  what  Isaiah  the  Jew  has 
told  me  ?  Do  you  know  for  what  end  Belshazzar 
brought  you  here  ?  " 

"  Have  I  not  heard  from  Isaiah's  own  lips  the  story 
of  what  befell  in  these  same  Gardens  and  of  the  king's 
unholy  guile  ?  " 

"  You  know  all  and  are  yet  so  calm  ?  " 

She  looked  into  his  face  almost  defiantly. 

"  Because  Ahura  grants  to  you  the  fame  of  being 
4  King  of  the  Bow '  and  of  swinging  the  stoutest 
sword  in  wide  Iran,  has  he  denied  that  I  also  should 
be  strong  to  bear?  Am  I  not  Cyrus's  own  child, 
and  must  I  show  these  '  lie-loving '  Chaldees  only 
tears  and  pain  ?  " 

"  By  Mithra,  Lord  of  Light,  I  think  it  is  I  that 


216  BELSHAZZAR 

must  gain  the  courage  out  of  you,  for  when  I  hear  of 
your  state,  and  the  treachery  with  which  Belshazzar 
had  ensnared  you,  I  was  close  to  weeping  like  a 
maid,  and  doing  deeds  of  madness  !  " 

A  faint  sound,  as  of  something  moving,  startled 
her. 

"  What  is  this  ?  "  she  cried,  leaping  from  the  moss- 
bank.  "  There  is  danger  !  " 

The  sound,  be  it  what  it  might,  had  vanished. 
Darius  peered  into  the  gloom ;  black  shadows,  the 
dim  tracery  of  leafage,  the  distant  sheen  of  the  star 
mist  —  that  seemed  all. 

"  No  peril,"  he  protested,  drawing  her  back  to  the 
soft  cool  carpet.  "  Boges  is  on  watch  below  ;  the 
eunuchs  proved  exceeding  corruptible.  Naught  will 
be  suspected." 

"  So  Ahura  grant,"  she  murmured,  pressing  closer, 
"  yet  I  hear  that  spies  are  all  about  you.  You  are 
in  danger,  grievous  danger.  Would  that  you  were 
back  in  Susa,  were  anywhere,  save  here,  —  in  the 
chief est  place  of  peril." 

Darius  laughed  softly.  "  Are  you  so  glad  to  have 
me  vanish  ?  I  declare  to  you  by  all  the  host  of  the 
holy  4  Yazatas,'  the  just  spirits  who  ever  wait  on  God, 
that  where  you  are,  were  it  in  the  foulest  prison,  or 
parching  desert,  or  in  remotest  star,  there  would 
be  my  G-aro-nmana,  my  4  Abode  of  Song '  !  " 

"  Folly  !  "  she  replied,  but  her  laugh  was  sweet  as 
the  dying  winds.  "  What  am  I  ?  —  a  voice  and  a 
blooming  flower ;  to-day  I  am  joy  to  you,  or  to 


BELSHAZZAR  CHOOSES   HIS  PATH       217 

another,  because  my  face  is  fair  to  see.  To-morrow 
all  is  past ;  faded  like  every  blossom,  I  lie  down  and 
die,  and  the  world  knows  of  me  no  more.  But 
you,"  and  there  was  pride  in  the  light  of  her 
smile, "  there  will  be  other  tales  to  tell  of  Darius,  son 
of  Hystaspes,  long  after  the  day  when  your  tongue 
is  cold  and  still.  And  that  should  be  your  task, 
doing  fair  deeds  in  the  sight  of  men,  not  wasting 
griefs  or  tears  on  such  as  me." 

But  his  answer  was  a  hand  upon  her  lips,  and 
he  answered  her :  "  I  will  not  give  wisdom  for  your 
foolishness,  the  barter  is  unfair.  But  this  I  know, 
concerning  the  Great  Day  when  every  soul  must  cross 
the  Chinvat  Bridge  to  enter  into  the  world  here 
after  (for  you  have  heard  our  Aryan  tale  as  chanted 
by  the  Magi),  then  to  every  man  there  shall  come 
a  maiden,  in  beauty  or  foulness  after  his  own  right 
eousness  or  guile.  And  she  shall  say  to  him,  '  See, 
I  am  thine  own  conscience,  come  to  meet  thee,  and 
to  dwell  with  thee  through  unending  time.'  And  my 
prayer  to  Ahura  the  Merciful  is  but  this,  that  when 
my  own  dread  ordeal  comes,  and  my  maiden  looks 
me  in  the  face,  her  eyes  and  her  smile  may  be  that  of 
Atossa,  the  daughter  of  my  king." 

"  Folly  !  "  cried  she  again,  and  again  her  laugh 
was  sweet.  But  then  her  mood  grew  grave.  "  It  is 
night,"  she  said,  "  the  stars  are  circling  onward  ;  soon 
they  will  wonder  why  I  linger  here  so  late,  and  some 
will  come  to  see  if  all  is  well.  Alas  !  that  we  have 
tasted  of  this  bliss ;  the  morsel  truly  is  most  sweet, 


218  BELSHAZZAR 

but  it  is  supped  and  gone.  Am  I  not  Belshazzar'g 
betrothed,  full  soon  his  bride?  And  you,  what  is 
left  save  but  to  speed  back  to  Susa,  and  tell  my 
father  all,  and  how  he  robbed  me  of  my  joy  and  all 
for  naught  ?  " 

But  Darius's  voice  grew  low,  he  tightened  the 
grasp  upon  her  hand.  "You  speak  but  ill.  You 
shall  never  be  Belshazzar's  bride.  I,  son  of  Hys- 
taspes,  have  so  sworn,  though  all  the  Chaldees  rise 
to  say  me  '  nay ' !  " 

" Never?  "  He  felt  Atossa  thrill.  "  What  is  this 
you  say  ?  " 

His  head  was  again  close  to  hers  when  he  answered. 
"  Listen,  then ;  for  as  you  say,  I  must  tell  all  quickly. 
Belshazzar  asked  your  hand  as  a  pledge  of  eternal 
peace  betwixt  Persian  and  Chaldee ;  but  to  make  a 
pledge  there  must  be  no  oath  broken,  and  he  has 
broken  his.  You  are  his  betrothed,  but  not  his 
bride.  No  law  of  man  or  God  binds  you  to  him, 
nor,  as  the  Most  High  gives  me  wit  and  might, 
shall  it  ever  bind !  My  position  since  returning 
from  the  lion  hunt,  whereof  you  must  have  heard 
the  palace  rumours,  has  been  intolerable !  There 
is  never  a  moment  when  I  do  not  tremble  for 
my  life.  I  fear  every  messenger  of  mine  to  Susa 
is  waylaid  and  halted.  Cyrus  must  not  be  suffered 
to  remain  blind  forever.  My  soul  loathes  flight 
from  a  foe,  but  what  is  left  me  ?  " 

"And  have  they  refused  you  convoy  back  to 
Susa  ?  "  pressed  Atossa. 


BELSHAZZAR  CHOOSES   HIS  PATH       219 

"  Not  once,  but  many  times,"  —  the  prince's  voice 
was  very  bitter,  —  "I  have  been  to  Bilsandan  the 
vizier,  and  only  met  smooth  excuses  and  scarcely 
veiled  lies.  Now  the  Elamite  mountain  tribes  make 
all  travel  dangerous ;  now  there  is  such  restlessness 
in  the  gulf  cities  that  not  a  soldier  can  be  spared  for 
escort.  And  yet,  to  cast  the  vizier's  words  back  in 
his  teeth,  the  garrison  of  Babylon  grows  stronger 
day  by  day,  and  the  walls  mount  higher." 

"  You  must  go  back  to  Cyrus,"  spoke  she,  with 
beating  heart;  "you  must  tell  all  to  my  father. 
But,  oh !  "  and  her  woman's  voice  nigh  faltered, 
"  his  wrath  and  the  war  will  be  most  terrible. 
Aryan  blood  and  Chaldee  blood,  each  poured  out 
in  rivers,  and  my  sacrifice  will  all  be  in  vain.  I  had 
one  joy  left  me,  that  through  my  own  grief  I  was 
giving  peace  to  my  people,  but  now  at  last  even  this 
is  taken  away  !  " 

"  Not  so,"  cried  the  prince,  almost  sternly,  "  for 
out  of  Belshazzar's  cruelty  and  falsehood  shall  spring 
my  joy  and  yours  also.  For  now  you  are  free,  and 
I  am  free  to  bear  you  away  in  my  flight.  All  is 
provided,  horses  fleet  as  the  desert  winds,  and  my 
Persian  followers  are  with  us  to  the  death.  Seven 
days  from  this  night  you  shall  look  on  your  father's 
face  at  Susa,  Ahura  prospering  us  —  my  own !  Gaze 
long,  gaze  hard,  upon  this  city,"  he  pointed  over 
the  slumbering  vista  of  ziggurats,  palaces,  and  the 
dark  river ;  "  to-morrow  at  this  hour  you  shall  see 
its  accursed  beauty  no  more,  —  except,  indeed,  as  you 


220  BELSHAZZAR 

ride  under  its  gates  at  the  side  of  your  father  when 
he  enters  it  to  conquer." 

"  Ah  !  "  she  cried,  his  own  bright  hopes  kindling 
before  her  eyes,  "  and  how  may  you  persuade  him  to 
give  me  to  you?  " — she  broke  short — "  Am  I  wrong  ? 
Do  I  not  hear  a  noise  ?  " 

The  prince  rose  once  more;  again  eyes  and  ears 
brought  him  nothing.  "  There  is  naught  beholding  us 
save  God's  bright  stars ;  and  are  not  the  stars  best 
friends  to  man  and  maid  in  love?  How  shall  I  per 
suade  Cyrus?  Did  you  not  see  how  he  tossed  in  his 
mind,  and  how  his  heart  was  torn  almost  as  yours  or 
mine,  when  he  resolved  to  send  you  to  Belshazzar  ? 
Let  him  hear  the  tale  we  have  to  tell,  the  tale  that 
will  make  every  ear  in  Iran  from  Media  to  Bactria 
to  tingle  with  hot  wrath,  and  I  know  little  of  men, 
if  Cyrus  prove  hard  of  heart.  Let  Babylon  fall,  as 
fall  it  will,  and  in  these  same  Hanging  Gardens  — 
not  then  your  prison,  but  your  joy  —  shall  they 
kindle  the  torch  for  our  marriage  feast." 

But  Atossa  glided  out  of  his  clasp. 

"  Ah !  "  said  she,  outstretching  her  arms  in  the 
starlight,  "  your  words  are  but  'as  words  spoken  in 
a  vision;  I  feel  such  sweetness  cannot  be.  You 
wake  dear  phantoms,  but  they  are  phantoms  still.  I 
know  not  why ;  but  there  is  a  voice  that  tells  me 
now,  as  it  has  told  me  long,  that  I  must  not  look  for 
any  sudden  joy.  I  must  learn  to  be  yet  stronger, 
and  learn  to  bear  not  only  these,  but  new  ills  also. 
And  Susa  and  my  father  are  very  far  away." 


BELSHAZZAR   CHOOSES   HIS   PATH       221 

"  And  do  you  doubt  my  boast?  "  he  flashed,  nigh 
wrathfully,  at  her  failing  to  warm  to  his  own  san 
guine  joy. 

"I  doubt  you?  "  she  cried,  as  if  scarce  understand 
ing  his  words,  —  "you?  For  your  least  wish,  how 
glad  a  thing  to  die !  But  the  power  of  Angra-Mainyu 
is  strong,  and  he  and  his  fiends  put  forth  their  might 
against  us.  Ahura  will  conquer,  but  the  triumph  is 
delayed.  Fly  alone ;  that  will  be  safer  —  and  let 
the  sword  of  Cyrus  be  the  key  to  my  golden 
prison." 

"Not  save  you?"  reechoed  the  prince,  all  the 
might  of  his  strong  nature  rising  up  in  refusal  at 
her  command. 

"  Hush  !  Not  so  loud  !  "  warned  she,  and  again 
she  started ;  "  surely  in  the  thicket  —  " 

"  There  may  be  other  eavesdroppers  !  "  spoke  a 
voice  from  the  covert  directly  behind  them,  and 
the  words  were  the  words  of  Avil-Marduk. 

A  shout  from  Darius,  a  cry  from  Atossa,  an 
swered  him  in  the  same  instant. 

The  sword  shot  from  the  prince's  scabbard  and 
flashed  in  the  starlight ;  one  stroke,  and  Avil  would 
have  uttered  no  more  fell  counsellings,  but  the 
priest  stepped  deliberately  forward  and  caught  the 
upraised  hand  before  Darius  could  gather  wits 
enough  to  smite. 

"  Nothing  rashly,  your  Highness,"  was  his  admoni 
tion,  he  himself  perfectly  calm.  "  Your  life  is  in  no 
danger,  and  I  make  bold  to  presume  that  any  hurt 


222  BELSHAZZAK 

that  might  befall  your  humble  slave  would  meet 
with  no  slow  requital." 

And  even  as  he  spoke  there  emerged  from  his 
hiding-place,  or  out  of  the  ground  of  the  garden 
rather,  for  aught  Darius  could  see  in  the  gloom, 
the  figures  of  six  men,  a  trembling  torch  in  the 
hands  of  one,  naked  swords  borne  by  the  others. 

Darius  stood  facing  them,  his  head  thrown  back 
haughtily,  his  weapon  still  raised  high. 

"Do  not  think  to  slay  me  without  dear  payment  I  " 
rang  his  despairing  boast. 

But  Atossa  had  fallen  on  her  knees,  crying  to  the 
Babylonians,  "  Spare  him  !  Spare  !  "  for  her  only 
thought  was  of  Darius. 

"And  has  not  Avil  already  told  you  your  lives 
are  safe  ? "  added  a  newcomer,  who  needed  no 
torch-glimmer  on  his  eagle  features  to  proclaim  him 
the  king  himself.  "Put  away  your  sword,  son 
of  Hystaspes ;  it  avails  you  nothing.  The  Lady 
Atossa  trembles  at  sight  of  bare  steel,  and  well  she 
may  !  " 

In  the  faint  light  they  saw  Darius  break  his 
sword  across  his  knee  and  dash  the  hilt  away. 

"You  are  right,  O  king,"  he  cried,  shrill  with 
anger,  "  for  her  sake  I  must  bow  my  neck  in  peace. 
Only  wreak  the  vengeance  all  on  me.  It  was  / 
who  sought  this  meeting,  who  plotted  all ;  she  had 
no  part,  and  is  guiltless." 

"  The  noble  Persian  wrongs  himself,"  spoke  Avil, 
as  sweetly  as  when  he  commented  on  his  dinner ; 


BELSHAZZAR  CHOOSES  HIS  PATH       223 

44  neither  he  nor  the  Lady  Atossa  arranged  this 
meeting  in  these  delightful  gardens.  The  author 
is  your  most  obedient  slave."  Whereupon  he 
salaamed. 

44  You  ?  "  burst  forth  the  prince.  "  What  snake's 
part  is  this  of  yours  ?  By  the  aid  of  what  dceva 
came  you  here  with  the  king  ?  My  plans  were  well 
laid,  my  servants  trusty." 

44  Excellently  laid,  and  exceedingly  trusty,"  quoth 
Avil,  still  perfectly  cool ;  44  alas  !  that  Wisdom  is 
not  ever  the  bedfellow  of  Faithfulness.  It  did  not 
need  the  knowledge  of  Ea  to  discover  that  your 
Highness  would  love  nothing  fairer  than  an  even 
ing's  talk  with  her  ladyship.  That  being  the  case, 
and  we  being  greatly  desirous  to  discover  your  noble 
plans  and  the  reports  you  were  anxious  to  transmit 
to  the  king's  illustrious  ally,  Cyrus  the  Persian,  I 
took  it  upon  myself  to  make  this  interview  in  every 
way  most  easy.  It  was  I  that  arranged  that  the 
eunuchs  and  guards  should  prove  conveniently 
corruptible,  that  nothing  should  hinder  your  easy 
access  to  these  Gardens,  or  interrupt  your  agreeable 
conversation  until  you  had  unbosomed  your  hearts 
one  to  another.  I  must  confess  myself  deeply  pained 
to  have  to  disarrange  the  least  of  your  Highness's 
projects." 

44  You  have  overheard  ?  "  questioned  the  prince, 
controlling  himself  by  an  effort.  44Be  so  gracious, 
then,  as  to  inform  a  barbarous  Persian  like  myself 
by  what  wings  you  flitted  up  into  these  Gardens/' 


224  BELSHAZZAE, 

"  By  the  wings  of  the  same  privy  staircase  soon 
after  your  Highness  ascended.  You  may  deign  to 
recollect  you  left  your  Boges  on  watch  below.  It 
was  no  grievous  matter  to  overpower  and  gag  with 
out  a  cry  escaping.  Afterward  I  conducted  his 
Majesty  and  these  worthy  guardsmen  to  this  thicket, 
whence  we  could  hear  all  that  passed.  As  Marduk 
liveth  !  I  believe  we  could  have  made  more  commo 
tion  than  we  did,  and  to  little  harm  ;  you  two  had 
ears  only  for  each  other." 

"  And  you  understand  Persian,  priest  ? "  asked 
Darius. 

"  Indifferently  well,"  answered  Avil,  modestly,  — 
"  at  least,  very  little  that  was  said  escaped  me  1  " 

"  Then  escape  not  this  !  "  shouted  Darius,  and  with 
the  word  he  flung  himself  bodily  toward  Avil-Marduk. 

The  pontiff  gave  one  leap  backward,  and  in  the 
darkness  his  foe  just  missed  him,  but  fell  with  all 
his  might  upon  an  unlucky  soldier  who  interposed. 
The  man  went  down  upon  the  greensward  with  a 
rattle  in  his  throat,  as  Darius  smote  him.  But  the 
others  instantly  piled  upon  him,  and  after  a  desper 
ate  and  aimless  struggle  the  Persian  was  plucked 
from  his  prey.  He  faced  Belshazzar  while  two 
guardsmen  clung  tight  to  his  terrible  arms. 

"Well,  your  Majesty,"  rang  his  demand,  "how 
long  is  left  to  me  to  live  ?  " 

"  You  are  safe,"  answered  Belshazzar,  from  a 
distance  ;  "  you  saved  my  life  from  the  auroch.  I 
will  not  take  yours  at  present." 


BELSHAZZAR   CHOOSES   HIS   PATH       225 

"So  I  am  a  prisoner,  envoy  of  Cyrus  though  I 
be  ?  You  refuse  my  demand  for  instant  return  to 
Susa?" 

"After  what  has  passed  here  and  now,"  retorted 
Belshazzar,  grimly,  "  I  think  you  will  not  marvel  if 
I  dare  to  delay  you." 

"  Better  the  executioner,  and  have  done  !  "  cried 
the  prince,  almost  struggling  out  of  his  captors' 
hold. 

"  We  gain  little  by  bartering  high  words,  Persian," 
thundered  the  king,  in  unconcealed  triumph  ;  "  you 
are  a  prisoner.  They  shall  give  you  the  liberty  of 
your  rooms,  until  you  prove  yourself  disobedient  to 
my  will." 

"  Am  I  then  a  hostage  ?  " 

"  You  shall  see.     In  dealing  with  Cyrus  —  " 

But  the  king  said  no  more,  for  Atossa  deliberately 
placed  herself  betwixt  the  two  in  their  anger. 

"  Will  the  king  hear  me  ?  " 

All  her  courage  had  returned  the  instant  she 
knew  Darius's  life  was  for  the  moment  safe.  She 
was  the  great  king's  daughter  still,  and  she  stood 
before  Belshazzar,  fair  and  strong.  He  told  himself 
he  had  never  seen  man  or  woman  more  calm,  more 
beautiful. 

"  I  will  hearken,"  was  his  sole  answer,  and  Atossa 
continued  her  speech,  that  came  very  slowly. 

"  Lord  of  the  Chaldees,  when  my  father  sent  me  to 
Babylon,  I  loved  this  man,"  her  eyes  were  on  Darius, 
"  beyond  all  the  Indian's  pearls,  —  yes,  beyond 


226  BELSHAZZAR 

very  life ;  but  I  was  content  to  be  the  price  paid  for 
the  peace  of  my  people.  I  was  resolved  to  be  your 
true  and  faithful  wife.  But  I  come  to  find  the  price 
paid  all  in  vain,  —  to  find  treachery  blacker  than 
blackest  night,  to  learn  that  oaths  are  only  to  be 
blown  out  as  a  rushlight,  at  the  first  convenient 
season.  My  love  gone,  my  joy  all  blasted,  for 
naught,  the  prospering  of  the  sapient  Avil's  serpent 
guile,  and  that  of  his  cringing  master."  Avil  had 
winced  under  the  flash  of  her  eye,  but  now  she  looked 
on  Belshazzar.  "King  of  Babylon,  thus  far  have 
falsehoods  borne  you ;  count  up  well  the  cost.  Do 
not  think  oath-breaking  can  prosper  man  or  king 
forever.  Let  the  walls  of  Babylon  mount  yet 
higher  ;  higher  still  are  God's  heavens  whence  He 
looks  downward,  and  beholds  us  all,  and  all  the 
secrets  locked  up  in  the  heart.  You  can  still  repent. 
You  can  send  Darius  to  his  own  land,  and  I  will  yet 
be  to  you  an  obedient  wife.  You  can  still  regard 
the  oaths  taken  to  Cyrus  as  sacred,  and  as  such  keep 
them  fast.  Thus  far  you  have  done  naught  that 
may  not  be  undone ;  go  no  farther.  But  let  the 
prince,  the  inviolable  envoy,  guarded  alike  by  Per 
sian  and  Chaldee  gods,  endure  one  hour  of  prison, 
and  only  heaven  shall  judge  the  war.  Do  not  think 
my  father  is  all  blind.  The  moon  cannot  fall  from 
the  sky,  and  no  man  marvel.  This  is  the  moment, 
and  the  last  when  you  may  choose,  —  the  moment 
which  we  Persians  say  to  every  man  is  granted,  — 
to  make  choice  of  the  Right  Mind  or  the  Wrong 


BELSHAZZAK   CHOOSES  HIS  PATH       227 

Mind,  the  great  spirits  ever  at  strife.  I  do  not  pray 
this  for  myself,  nor  for  the  son  of  Hystaspes,  but 
for  you,  O  king  of  the  Chaldees,  whom  I  would 
honour  as  husband  if  I  might.  To  you  is  this  word, 
—  choose  the  path,  of  righteousness  or  guile,  of 
peace  or  war,  —  choose  !  " 

The  king  gazed  on  her,  and  she  returned  his 
glance  fearlessly.  Her  beauty  seemed  doubled  in 
that  shimmering  torchlight,  her  presence  seemed 
self-illumined,  glorious.  For  an  instant,  before  the 
eyes  of  Belshazzar's  mind  there  passed  a  vision  of 
peace  ;  he  saw  himself  like  the  great  Nebuchadnez 
zar,  fighting  as  he  must,  but  glorying  in  peace  and 
not  in  war.  He  saw  his  kingdom  prosperous  and 
glad,  and  Atossa  beside  him  on  the  throne,  his 
counsellor  and  guide  in  all  fair  enterprise.  And  on 
the  monuments  in  the  after  days,  men  should  grave 
these  words,  "In  the  reign  of  Belshazzar  the  land 
was  blessed  ;  no  war  raged  ;  no  mouth  lacked  corn." 
Fair  vision  !  And  this  was  truly  the  moment  of 
choice  —  to  dismiss  Darius  or  to  imprison  ;  should 
he  thrust  this  vision  by  ?  But  at  that  instant  some 
demon  or  god  put  speech  in  the  mouth  of  Avil- 
Marduk. 

"  Verily  by  Bel  himself,"  and  the  pontiff  gave  a 
low  and  mocking  laugh,  "the  Lady  Atossa  will 
almost  persuade  his  Majesty  to  burn  his  war  chariots 
and  set  his  sword-hands  to  digging  ditches  ! " 

One  laugh;  did  Avil  know  that  the  fate  of  the 
"Beauty  of  the  Chaldees"  hung  on  that  single 


228  BELSHAZZAE, 

breath  ?  But  Belshazzar  spoke  now,  the  spell  of 
Atossa  all  broken  :  "  Surely  as  Samas  and  Sin  bear 
rule  in  the  heavens,  so  surely  have  I  chosen.  I 
know  the  path.  And  who  shall  teach  another  way 
to  me?" 

He  made  a  menacing  gesture  in  Atossa's  face. 
She  never  quailed. 

"You  have  indeed  chosen,"  said  she,  in  icy  tone  ; 
"hereafter  there  is  war:  betwixt  darkness  and 
light,  dceva  and  angel,  Angra-Mainyu  and  Ahura- 
Mazda,  implacable,  truceless,  —  till  the  abasing  of 
the  4 Lie '  I" 

Belshazzar  motioned  impatiently  to  the  soldiers. 
"  Let  the  prince  be  taken  to  his  chambers  as  com 
manded,  and  let  the  Lady  Atossa  go  below  to  her 
eunuchs." 

The  two  Persians  sped  one  glance  upon  each 
other  —  but  neither  spoke  farewell. 


CHAPTER  XV 

ISAIAH  the  Jew,  whose  arrest  had  been  urgently 
commanded  by  the  king,  continued  to  defy  all 
the  zeal  of  the  royal  officers.  Truth  to  tell,  that  was 
not  great.  More  than  one  captain  of  the  "  Street 
Wardens  "  had  been  beholden  to  Daniel  or  his  late 
colleague,  Shadrach,  for  one  service  or  another,  and 
were  loath  to  bring  the  young  Hebrew  within 
Khatin's  gentle  mercies.  Likewise,  not  a  Jew  in 
Babylon,  barring  a  few  recreants,  would  have  be 
trayed  the  youth,  who  passed  amongst  them  as  a 
veritable  prophet  of  Jehovah,  hardly  less  inspired 
than  Daniel  himself.  When  a  new  levy  of  forced 
labour  was  proclaimed,  and  scarce  a  Hebrew  but  had 
to  choose  betwixt  toilsome  days  in  a  broiling  sun 
and  the  offering  of  a  little  corn  to  Marduk,  Isaiah 
had  gone  up  and  down  by  night  among  their  little 
cottages  along  the  Street  of  Kisch,  exhorting,  warn 
ing,  encouraging.  "  Endure  a  little  longer,"  was  his 
message,  "  a  few  more  trials  to  prove  their  devotion, 
and  God  would  recall  them  to  His  mercy." 

Such  was  the  burden  of  Isaiah,  and  to  Avil-Mar- 
duk's  discomfiture  scarcely  a  Hebrew  chose  apostasy, 

229 


230  BELSHAZZAR 

though  the  "  whip-masters  "  had  been  ordered  to  be 
trebly  harsh.  The  pontiff  gnashed  his  teeth  and 
swore  by  all  the  Anunnaki  that  he  would  yet  break 
this  Jewish  stubbornness. 

"  Arrest  Isaiah,  living  or  dead,"  fulmined  the  man 
date  again  from  the  palace,  but  the  royal  thunders 
spent  themselves  in  noise.  Isaiah  had  found  a  safe 
refuge,  the  house  of  Dagan-Milki,  a  Babylonish 
schoolmaster,  and  confessedly  one  of  the  most  de 
voted  servants  of  the  gods  in  Babylon.  Once  upon 
a  day  Isaiah  had  saved  the  goodman's  only  son  from 
the  Euphrates,  and  now  Dagan  repaid  the  debt  of 
gratitude.  He  conducted  a  little  day  school  by  the 
Borsippa  Canal,  where  fifty  boys  and  girls  buzzed 
from  morning  till  night,  learning  their  lists  of  sylla 
bles,  and  the  "  Book  of  Fables  "  and  the  "  Book  of 
Countries  and  Rivers  "  ;  for  there  were  few  parents 
in  Babylon  that  let  even  a  daughter  grow  up  so 
ignorant  that  she  could  not  sign  a  letter,  and  had  to 
content  herself  with  her  "nail-mark."  Dagan 
announced  that  his  scholars  had  grown  so  numerous 
that  he  needed  an  assistant,  to  aid  him  to  correct 
their  tablets.  The  young  man  he  took  into  his  family 
seldom  showed  himself  to  the  pupils  ;  if  he  had,  who 
would  have  thought  of  connecting  him  with  the 
fugitive  Hebrew?  Dagan  was  such  a  pious  man  ! 
But  a  terrible  day  came  to  Isaiah  when  a  secret  mes 
senger  of  Imbi-Ilu  contrived  to  search  him  out,  and 
he  heard  the  story  of  the  abduction  of  Ruth.  Imbi 
had  done  what  he  could,  but  to  have  pushed  the 


DANIEL  DELIVERS  A  MESSAGE         231 

inquiries  about  her  far  would  have  brought  the  case 
to  the  ears  of  the  king,  and  that  were  sheerest  mad 
ness.  Friendly  eunuchs  reported  that  no  such  maid 
as  the  Jewess  had  been  introduced  into  the  royal 
harem.  Neither  Isaiah  nor  Imbi  knew  what  to  hope 
or  to  fear.  Isaiah  said  little  of  his  grief,  but  he  went 
about  with  a  face  seven  years  older  than  his  wont ; 
and  Dagan-Milki,  worthy  soul,  was  troubled  for  him 
and  had  wordy  comfort. 

"  Surely,  the  daughter  of  Daniel  cannot  be  dead  ?  " 

"Would  God  I  knew  she  had  perished,  spotless 
and  unsullied  ;  I  could  then  have  peace  !  But  into 
the  hands  of  what  human  4  Maskim '  may  she  not 
have  fallen  !  "  was  the  bitter  answer. 

"  But  be  not  reckless  in  exposing  yourself,"  urged 
Dagan;  "you  will  not  save  her  by  stalking  about 
the  streets  so  boldly.  The  last  time  you  went  to 
search  for  her,  in  the  warehouses  in  the  lower  city 
by  the  temple  of  Samas,  I  trembled  for  your  head. 
The  stoutest  wine-jar  cracks  at  last,  if  carried  too 
often.  Daniel's  plight  is  miserable,  but  yours  would 
be  worse,  if  Avil-Marduk  once  puts  the  gyves  on 
your  wrists.  No  Tartan  or  vizier  will  interpose  him 
self  betwixt  you  and  Khatin." 

"  I  am  in  the  Lord  God's  keeping,"  retorted  the 
young  Jew,  with  a  swelling  voice ;  "  it  is  all  one 
whether  I  live  or  perish !  " 

Dagan  stifled  a  cynical  sniffle.  He  did  not  love 
Jehovah  more  than  any  other  Babylonian,  but  he 
did  not  wish  to  offend  his  guest. 


232  BELSHAZZAB, 

"  My  dear  Hebrew,"  he  suggested,  "  at  least  put 
by  your  prejudices  enough  to  accept  the  aid  the 
gods  will  send  you.  Consult  a  necromancer.  I 
know  Kwabta,  a  4  wise  woman '  by  the  temple  of 
Nergal,  who  keeps  a  familiar  spirit.  She  can  reveal 
everything  that  has  befallen  your  unfortunate  be 
trothed." 

"  Dagan,"  warned  Isaiah,  sternly,  "  speak  not  of 
this  again,  if  you  would  be  my  friend.  Sooner 
shall  the  king  slay  me  with  tortures  than  I  wilfully 
break  the  ordinance  of  my  God." 

Dagan  said  no  more.  Nevertheless,  he  went  him 
self  privately  to  the  witch,  paid  her  half  a  shekel, 
and  stated  the  facts  of  the  case,  concealing  only  the 
Jewess's  name.  Kwabta  left  him  in  an  outer  room, 
bidding  him  cover  his  head  and  mutter  certain  power 
ful  spells,  while  in  an  inner  chamber  she  conferred 
with  her  demon.  She  came  back,  reporting  that 
the  question  was  a  difficult  one,  but  that  in  ten 
days  Dagan  should  have  a  dream,  which  she  could 
interpret  for  a  second  half-shekel,  and  this  dream 
would  reveal  all  he  desired  to  know.  The  school 
master  accordingly  had  few  hopes  to  bring  back 
to  Isaiah,  whose  mood  grew  blacker  than  ever. 
Another  day  passed,  and  Dagan  saw  that  the  young 
Hebrew  was  unwontedly  preoccupied. 

"  I  have  been  to  Borsippa,"  he  explained  at 
length,  "  and  talked  with  Imbi-Ilu.  Daniel's  life 
is  in  grievous  danger.  Avil-Marduk  is  preparing 
to  demand  his  execution  on  the  day  of  the  feast 


DANIEL   DELIVERS   A  MESSAGE          233 

of  Bel,  and  the  king  will  only  rejoice  to  comply. 
Nevertheless,  Daniel  shall  be  saved." 

"  From  the  power  of  the  king  himself  ?  "  quoth 
Dagan,  pricking  up  his  ears. 

"  From  Belshazzar's  own  power,"  assented  the 
Jew,  "  but  the  manner  is  hid.  I  have  another 
task,  however,  to-night.  I  must  see  Daniel  him 
self.  He  has  asked  to  see  me." 

"Daniel  himself?  Daniel  in  prison?  Are  you 
mad  ?  "  almost  shrieked  the  schoolmaster. 

"  I  was  never  in  sounder  mind.  Zerubbabel,  my 
friend  who  brought  the  message,  keeps  the  prison 
watch  to-night.  The  eyes  of  the  other  warders  can 
be  closed  with  a  little  silver." 

Dagan  argued  and  besought  in  vain.  Away  went 
Isaiah  soon  after  nightfall,  and  Jehovah,  or  some 
other  power  who  loves  the  bold,  protected  him. 
He  had  his  hour  alone  with  Daniel. 

The  dungeon  of  the  palace  prison  was  fetid,  the 
straw  damp,  the  only  light  that  of  a  single  shivering 
candle.  At  sight  of  his  friend  and  all  but  father 
in  chains  and  amid  these  squalid  surroundings,  the 
younger  Jew  burst  into  tears. 

"  Alas  !  my  father,"  was  his  cry,  while  he  knelt 
for  Daniel's  blessing,  "  what  is  this  I  see  ?  What 
does  the  Lord  God  suffer?  He  who  has  served  Him 
beyond  all  others,  whose  life  has  been  naught  but 
holiness,  in  the  state  of  the  vilest  felon !  " 

"  Peace !  "  commanded  the  old  man,  never  more 
calm  and  majestic  than  now;  "what  is  there  to  fear? 


234  BELSHAZZAR, 

Did  God  simply  go  with  me  when  I  was  4  civil- 
minister  '  of  Babylon,  and  cannot  His  goodness  fol 
low  within  this  prison  ?  " 

"  Ah !  father,"  protested  Isaiah,  "  I  do  not  doubt 
God's  power,  yet  how  can  I  trust  His  mercy  ?  First 
you,  then  Ruth,  the  guileless  of  the  guileless,  have 
been  brought  to  bitter  grief,  —  and  lo !  the  wicked 
wax  fat  and  prosper !  " 

"  I  know  it  well,"  answered  Daniel,  his  voice 
unfaltering ;  "  but  all  is  not  yet  ended.  I  have 
heard  of  the  abduction  of  Ruth,  of  the  malice 
of  Belshazzar  and  Avil-Marduk  against  me ;  yet 
neither  for  myself  nor  for  her  have  I  any  fear." 

"  Would  God  you  could  teach  me  your  own 
trust !  " 

The  old  Jew  smiled  gently.  "  You  are  yet  young, 
and  I  an  ancient  river,  close  upon  the  sea.  The 
wisdom  that  you  ask  is  not  written  in  all  the  books 
of  Imbi-Ilu  at  Borsippa,  nor  can  a  treasure-house  of 
silver  buy.  But  as  you  fare  onward  with  obedient 
will  and  open  mind,  you  shall  yet  see  the  vision,  and 
shall  hear  the  message  from  on  high,  and  know  that 
all  is  well.  The  Chaldee's  power  passes  not  beyond 
the  grave,  and  there  are  no  griefs  in  Abraham's 
bosom." 

Isaiah  lifted  his  head,  and  shook  the  unmanly  tears 
from  his  eyes. 

"  I  have  put  by  my  faintness,"  spake  he,  as  if  in 
anger  with  himself ;  "  who  am  I  to  stand  as  prophet 
to  our  people,  when  my  own  faith  in  God  grows 


DANIEL   DELIVERS   A   MESSAGE          235 

pale  ?  You  have  sent  for  me,  my  father,  on  some 
weighty  errand,  for  I  know  you  never  summon 
me  to  needless  peril.  Declare;  I  am  all  obe 
dience." 

Daniel  spoke  with  bated  breath.  "  Dearest  son, 
Jehovah  is  speaking  again  to  me  in  visions,  as  in 
the  former  time.  Again  His  command  has  come 
upon  me,  and  with  a  message  which  your  mouth 
must  give." 

"I  am  unworthy  to  be  the  mouthpiece  of  God 
Most  High." 

Daniel  smiled  again.  "Who  of  living  men  is 
worthy  ?  But  be  confident  and  strong ;  fear  noth 
ing,  and  He  will  lead  you  out  of  all  perils.  Is  the 
Persian  Darius  still  in  prison  ?  " 

"  Closely  guarded,  and  they  watch  all  persons  that 
pass  out  of  Babylon,  lest  they  be  secret  bearers  of 
news  to  Cyrus.  But  there  is  a  report  —  " 

"  Of  what  ?  "  asked  Daniel,  as  eagerly  as  ever  was 
his  wont. 

"That  Ariathes,  the  favourite  servant  of  Darius, 
was  not  arrested  with  the  other  Persians  of  the 
prince's  suite,  and  there  is  a  chance  that  he  has  fled  to 
Susa,  bearing  tidings  of  the  outrage  done  the  envoy." 

"Jehovah's  name  be  blessed,  your  task  is  made 


"  My  task,"  cried  Isaiah. 

"  Yours,"  again  Daniel's  voice  sank  low.  "  This  is 
what  is  commanded  you  of  God :  On  the  day  of 
the  feast  of  Bel  cast  all  fear  from  you.  Trust  in  the 


236  BELSHAZZAB, 

guardianship  of  Jehovah.  During  the  festival  the 
customary  watch  will  be  relaxed.  You  know  the  great 
tunnel  beneath  the  Euphrates,  from  the  palace  to  the 
Eastern  City  ?  " 

"  I  have  been  through  it  twice.  It  is  treading 
amongst  the  dead  to  traverse  it,  but  I  do  not  fear." 

"  By  means  of  it  you  can  pass  unnoticed  to  the 
very  temple  of  Marduk.  Take  your  stand  upon  the 
terrace  of  the  ziggurat,  before  all  the  thousands  when 
they  approach  with  the  ark  of  the  idol.  Cry  aloud 
against  Belshazzar,  against  A  vil-Marduk,  against  the 
sinful  city  and  its  evil  gods.  For  Jehovah  commands 
that  they  shall  not  be  cut  off  unwarned.  Bid  them 
repent,  and  to  cease  the  persecution  of  the  Lord  God's 
people.  Nevertheless  they  will  not  hear,  for  they  are 
to  be  cut  short  in  their  sins.  But  though  they  rage 
against  you,  they  shall  not  harm  you.  You  shall 
escape.  You  shall  go  to  Susa,  and  stand  before  Cyrus 
the  righteous  king,  and  give  him  the  mandate  of 
Jehovah,  for  God  has  summoned  him  to  bring  low 
this  Babylon.  The  words  which  you  shall  speak  to 
him,  God  will  put  in  your  mouth  in  due  season  ;  for 
He  has  chosen  you  out  of  all  the  sons  of  Judah  for 
this  high  honour  —  the  freeing  of  His  people." 

"  My  father  !  my  father  !  "  again  Isaiah  fell  upon 
his  knees,  "  who  of  all  am  I  to  do  this  deed  ?  Again 
I  cry,  'unworthy.' ' 

"  And  again  I  say  to  you,  not  righteousness,  but 
obedience,  is  demanded.  Go  forward  with  all  bold- 


DANIEL   DELIVERS   A   MESSAGE          237 

"  Hist  !  "  warned  Isaiah,  "  Zerubbabel  approaches 
to  warn  us  that  we  must  part.  When  shall  I  see  you 
again  ?  " 

"  In  His  own  good  time,"  answered  the  old  man, 
sweetly ;  then  he  laid  his  fettered  hand  on  Isaiah's 
head,  "  the  God  of  our  fathers  keep  you,  my  son,  in 
His  service,  and  teach  you  that  nothing  truly  evil 
may  befall." 

The  door  opened.  "The  guard  changes,"  an 
nounced  Zerubbabel;  "away,  quickly,  or  all  is 
danger." 

Isaiah  embraced  the  prisoner  once,  and  followed 
the  friendly  guardsman  out  of  the  palace  precinct. 
Then  he  wended  his  way  alone  back  to  the  house  of 
Dagan-Milki,  through  the  silent  streets  of  the  capital. 

At  the  schoolmaster's  door  the  good  man  himself 
confronted  Isaiah  with  a  beaming  face  and  a  voice 
that  trembled  with  agitation. 

"  Glory,  glory  to  every  god  !  Praised  be  Nabu 
and  Nergal !  Compose  yourself,  my  dear  Isaiah,  be 
collected ;  do  not  grow  excited  ;  bless  your  god  with 
calmness  — "  but  here  the  exhortations  ended  in  a 
new  shout  of  "  Praised  be  the  name  of  Bel-Marduk!  " 
and  Isaiah  stared  at  Dagan,  wondering  if  his  kind 
host  had  been  blighted  in  his  wits. 

"  I  would  fain  rejoice  !  "  remonstrated  he,  coldly, 
for  in  his  heart  he  was  telling  himself  that  he  must 
have  no  other  joy  now  save  the  labour  for  his 
people. 


238  BELSHAZZAR 

Dagan  almost  dragged  him  across  the  threshold, 
and  led  through  the  courtyard  of  the  little  house. 

"  Rejoice  !  "  he  was  commanding,  almost  angrily, 
"  rejoice  !  Do  you  not  wish  to  be  glad  ?  "  tugging 
Isaiah  behind  him,  as  he  strode  feverishly  forward. 

"  Now,  as  Jehovah  liveth  !  "  protested  the  Jew,  be 
ginning  to  wax  furious  in  turn,  "  shall  I  make  merry 
against  my  will  ?  Wherefore  this  cry,  4  rejoice,' 
save  for  one  dear  thing  the  good  God  will  not 
grant  ?  " 

"And  will  He  not  grant  it?"  fumed  the  school 
master,  forcing  on  his  unwilling  companion.  But 
while  he  spoke  he  felt  Isaiah  totter  on  his  feet.  By 
the  light  of  the  copper  lamp  he  carried,  Dagan  saw 
the  Jew's  face  turn  very  pale. 

"  Friend,"  Isaiah  spoke  hoarsely,  "  do  not  mock 
me  if  you  wish  to  live." 

"  By  Ramman  !  "  swore  the  Babylonian,  not  a  little 
fearful,  "  I  think  you  are  in  earnest."  He  pushed  in 
the  door  of  a  little  sleeping  chamber,  and  waved  the 
lamp,  sending  a  wan  flicker  around,  that  now  hid, 
now  revealed,  all  the  room. 

"  Behold ! " 

Dagan  pointed  downward,  where  a  mattress  was 
spread  upon  the  floor  and  on  it  the  form  of  one  sleep 
ing.  And  as  they  looked,  there  was  a  rustle  upon  the 
pallet,  two  little  hands  unclasped  across  the  breast, 
while  Dagan  saw  that  again  the  Hebrew  was  trem 
bling. 

"Dagan,"  commanded  Isaiah,  still  hoarsely,  "set 


DANIEL  DELIVERS  A  MESSAGE         239 

the  light  upon  the  floor  and  get  you  hence."  Which 
injunction,  the  schoolmaster,  being  a  wise  as  well  as 
a  kindly  man,  hastened  to  obey. 

"  Shaphat,"  said  Isaiah,  later  that  same  night,  in 
another  chamber  of  the  house,  "  tell  me  the  story  of 
your  flight  with  the  Lady  Ruth,  for  I  would  not  suffer 
her  to  speak  long,  but  bade  her  go  back  to  rest." 

Whereupon  a  young  man,  who  had  been  dozing 
in  a  dark  corner,  shuffled  to  his  feet ;  but  he  would 
not  look  Isaiah  in  the  eye. 

"  Ah,  lord,"  stammered  the  fellow,  "  who  I  am  to 
tell  my  master,  —  I  on  whose  head  rests  untold  guilt  ? 
Who  will  believe,  though  I  swear  by  every  god  ? 
Even  these  Babylonians,  if  they  know  me,  will  cry 
4  bricks  for  the  perjurer,'  and  will  pelt  me  in  their 
streets." 

"  And  well  you  say,"  muttered  Dagan,  who  stood 
by,  —  "the  servant  who  robbed  so  kind  a  lord  as 
Daniel,  then  conspired  with  that  viper  Gudea  to 
work  his  death.  By  Marduk !  "  and  he  turned  to 
Isaiah,  "  I  will  not  trust  him ;  no,  not  till  cockcrow  ! 
If  he  has  saved  the  Lady  Ruth,  it  is  but  to  serve 
some  dark  and  hidden  end.  He  knows  your  secret. 
Let  him  never  quit  this  house  alive  I  " 

The  renegado  cowered  at  Isaiah's  feet.  "  Woe  !  " 
he  groaned,  "  I  am  undone  utterly  ;  accursed  on 
earth,  and  accursed  in  heaven !  If  such  is  the  wrath 
of  man,  what  is  not  God  and  His  just  and  holy 
anger?" 


240  BELSHAZZAR 

But  Isaiah  deliberately  stooped  and  raised  the 
wretched  man  by  the  hand.  "  Peace,  Dagan,"  he 
commanded,  and  then  he  looked  sadly  but  calmly 
upon  the  apostate.  "  Shaphat,"  his  voice  was  very 
gentle,  "I  have  but  just  stood  beside  Daniel,  the 
most  righteous  man  in  all  Babylon.  He  is  in  chains 
in  a  noisome  dungeon.  If  God  suffers  him  to  un 
dergo  this,  what  punishment  is  left  for  such  as 
you  to  endure,  were  we  all  rewarded  after  our  ill- 
doings?  But  were  He  to  remember  all  the  foul 
deeds  in  even  the  most  righteous,  who  of  us  shall 
stand?  Rise  up,  and  speak  with  boldness.  You 
are  rewarded,  not  of  man,  but  of  God.  /  will  hear 
and  believe  your  story." 

"  Master,"  cried  the  penitent,  the  big  drops  on  his 
cheeks,  "  your  words  are  precious  beyond  seven  tal 
ents  of  gold.  Yet  have  I  not  sinned  beyond  the 
Lord  God's  mercy?" 

"  You  have  not  if  by  your  future  deeds  you  atone 
as  in  you  lies.  And  now  I  am  hearkening." 

Whereupon,  with  many  groans  and  protests  of  sor 
row,  Shaphat  told  how,  after  the  trial,  and  his  almost 
forced  exposure  of  Gudea's  infamy,  he  had  rushed 
away  and  hid  himself  in  the  vilest  quarters  of  the 
city,  amongst  the  bargemen  and  sailors.  Often  he 
meditated  slaying  himself,  but  the  fear  of  the  angry 
Jehovah  passed  his  fear  even  of  his  stinging  con 
science.  Daniel  lay  in  his  prison,  and  Shaphat  knew 
that  up  to  the  last  moment  he  had  been  consent 
ing  to  the  "  civil-minister's  "  misfortune.  His  own 


DANIEL  DELIVERS   A   MESSAGE          241 

scanty  means  were  soon  ended.  Avil-Marduk  was 
his  enemy,  and  desired  his  arrest.  As  a  last  re 
course,  Shaphat  hired  himself  to  a  band  of  nonde 
script  Arab  caravan  merchants,  who  were  about  to 
set  forth  for  Egypt.  Perchance,  he  vainly  argued, 
he  would  find  that  the  goad  of  memory  might  not 
follow  to  the  strange  Nile  country,  and  he  could 
commence  life  there  afresh.  But  on  the  day  after 
setting  forth,  while  the  caravan  halted  in  a  village, 
lo !  after  the  manner  already  told,  the  Amorite 
bandit  came  with  his  three  captives,  nor  was 
Shaphat  long  in  recognizing. 

And  then  began  his  new  agony.  Well  he  knew 
that  Ruth  was  all  Binit  protested,  —  worth  her 
weight  in  silver  to  any  who  might  deliver  her  to 
the  king.  And  first  he  resolved  to  tell  his  employers 
that  Binit's  ragings  were  indeed  truth,  and  they  had 
great  prize.  But  the  serpent  of  guile  brought  him 
yet  darker  thoughts.  Why  should  he  not  flee  away 
with  the  Jewess  herself,  deliver  her  to  Belshazzar, 
claim  the  royal  reward,  and  drown  his  remorse  in 
the  delights  of  riches?  It  was  with  this  thought 
uppermost  that  he  suffered  himself  to  drift  into  new 
falsehoods  when  the  leader  of  the  caravan  questioned 
him  as  to  their  youngest  captive.  All  that  day  he 
adhered  to  his  black  purpose,  and  the  delays  which 
prevented  the  advance  of  the  caravan  were  largely 
of  his  contriving.  In  the  evening,  as  soon  as  the 
camp  grew  still,  he  filched  a  bag  of  money  from  an 
Arab  and  prepared  to  make  off.  The  flight  was  not 


242  BELSHAZZAR, 

difficult.  Ruth  obeyed  him  implicitly  when  he  prom 
ised  he  would  conduct  her  back  to  safety.  They 
wandered  onward  toward  the  city  until  the  Jewess's 
feet  were  so  weary  she  could  trudge  no  more,  and 
she  slumbered  out  the  remainder  of  the  night  in  a 
farmer's  stack,  while  Shaphat  remained  on  guard  to 
beat  off  the  wild  dogs  and  jackals.  In  the  morn 
ing  he  contrived  to  purchase  some  millet  bread  in  a 
village,  and  they  plodded  southward. 

"  But  now,"  continued  Shaphat,  while  his  voice 
once  more  was  near  to  breaking,  "I  found  all  the 
demons  of  the  Chaldees  rising  up  within  me  ;  for  it 
seemed  impossible  that  I  should  refuse  life  riches, 
and  yet  a  voice  spoke  ever  goading,  warning,  tortur 
ing,  4  Better  a  life  of  beggary  and  rags,  than  do  this 
deed  which  will  cry  out  to  God.'  But  then  I 
answered  myself,  saying :  '  God  is  already  angered 
past  all  atoning.  He  can  never  forgive.  Let  me 
make  joy  to-day,  for  to-morrow  is  only  endless 
gloom.'  And  so  I  continued  debating  long  and 
bitterly,  while  we  measured  the  long  road.  But 
when  we  drew  near  to  Babylon,  the  Lady  Ruth 
spoke  to  me,  after  her  gentle  way,  '  Good  Shaphat, 
what  are  you  fearing,  and  why  does  your  face  be 
come  so  sad?'  Whereupon  I  answered  her:  'You 
know  I  have  promised  to  deliver  you  to  some  friend 
who  will  keep  you  safely.  Do  you  put  trust  in  me, 
seeing  that  I  have  done  great  wrong  to  my  lord, 
your  father  ? '  And  she  looked  up  at  me,  and  said, 
in  her  innocency,  little  knowing  all  the  evil  that  was 


DANIEL  DELIVERS  A  MESSAGE         243 

passing  in  my  breast,  'You  have  truly  done  great 
ill,  and  on  this  account  I  will  put  trust  in  you  yet 
more,  for  I  know  you  will  not  wish  to  anger  the  good 
Lord  God  for  yet  a  second  time.'  — '  Alas  ! '  cried  I, 
4  have  I  not  so  angered  Him  that  I  can  never  be 
forgiven,  though  I  had  all  the  riches  of  the  Egibi 
bankers,  and  spent  them  in  alms-deeds  on  the  poor  ? ' 
But  she  said,  and  her  voice  was  like  a  cool  hand  laid 
upon  my  brow, '  And  wherefore  should  the  good  God 
not  forgive  ?  for  I  know  that  I,  since  I  see  you  truly 
sorry,  have  forgiven,  and  so,  surely,  has  my  father ; 
and  have  we  more  of  pity  than  Jehovah  the  All- 
Merciful  ? '  Then,"  but  here  the  apostate  must 
needs  stop  and  weep  hot  tears  indeed,  "  as  I  looked 
down  upon  her,  and  saw  how  fair  she  was,  how  her 
face  was  pure  as  a  summer's  cloud,  and  her  heart 
guileless  as  a  bursting  flower,  and  when  I  told  my 
self  how  selling  her  to  Belshazzar  would  be  selling 
her  to  worse  than  death,  I  said  within  my  soul,  4 1 
cannot  do  this  evil  deed  in  sight  of  God ;  no,  though 
I  die  this  hour,  and  descend  to  Sheol  forever,  I  shall 
yet  have  this  to  comfort  me,  that  I  am  free  from  this 
great  sin.'  For  I  felt  as  if  ten  thousand  talents 
from  the  king  would  turn  to  fire  in  my  hands.  All 
the  rest  of  the  way  to  Babylon  the  fiends  pressed 
close  to  tempt  me,  but  they  had  lost  their  power. 
I  fought  them  all  away.  I  scarce  knew  where  to 
take  the  Lady  Ruth,  but  I  remembered  that  Dagan- 
Milki  was  your  friend,  and  unsuspected  among  the 
Babylonians.  I  little  thought  to  place  her  in  your 


244  BELSHAZZAE 

keeping.  When  I  gave  her  to  Dagan,  for  a  moment 
my  soul  had  peace.  Nevertheless,  when  I  saw  how 
even  he,  a  Chaldee,  turned  the  back  on  me,  and  I 
thought  on  my  great  sins,  my  sorrows  all  returned, 
and  I  have  been  fearfully  tormented.  But  as 
Jehovah  is  my  judge,  I  have  told  all  truly." 

He  was  weeping  once  more,  but  Isaiah  stepped 
beside  him,  and  took  him  by  the  hand. 

"  The  Lady  Ruth  is  right,"  he  said  simply ;  "  God 
is  more  merciful  than  man.  You  are  forgiven  in 
His  pure  sight.  I  believe  all  your  story." 

"  Blessings  upon  you  for  the  word  !  "  cried  the 
penitent;  "  you  make  me  your  slave  forever.  How 
may  I  serve  you,  even  unto  death?" 

But  Isaiah  only  smiled.  "  Fear  not  that  through 
me  God  will  not  find  you  ample  chance  for  service. 
But  the  present  duty  is  rest.  Sleep  to-night,  and 
wait  His  commands  for  the  morrow." 


THE  PROCESSION  OF  BEL 


CHAPTER  XVI 

UPON  Ai-Bur-Shabou  Street,  not  far  from  the 
Northern  Gate,  called  the  Gate  of  Ilu,  stood 
the  barber's  shop  of  Mulis-Assur.  A  shop,  we  say, 
though  in  truth  it  was  only  an  open  booth,  thrust 
in  betwixt  two  houses,  and  its  sole  furnishings  were 
two  low  stools,  a  reed  carpet,  a  little  chest  for  the 
razors  and  silvered  mirrors,  and  a  brass  brazier, 
over  which  at  this  moment  curling  irons  were  heat 
ing  above  the  smouldering  charcoal.  Mulis-Assur 
was  neither  the  first  nor  the  last  of  his  kind  whose 
principal  staple  of  sale  was  gossip.  At  this  moment, 
as  the  worthy  man  stood  patting  the  lump  of  melted 
butter  upon  the  black  locks  of  Gabarruru,  the  corn 
merchant,  who  occupied  one  stool,  his  head  was 
turned  to  reply  to  Itti-Marduk,  the  banker,  who  was 
lolling  on  the  other  stool.  It  was  a  great  festival 
day  —  the  day  of  the  procession  of  the  patron  god  of 
Babylon,  of  the  "going  forth  of  Bel-Marduk,"  and 
for  once  the  broker  had  forgotten  his  jars  of  account 
books. 

"  Well,"  Mulis  was  declaring,  while  he  lifted  the 
irons  from  the   brazier,  "I   am  the  last  to  chatter 

245 


246  BELSHAZZAR 

treason,  but  may  the  gods  ward  off  from  his  Majesty 
the  consequences  of  listening  to  that  frog  Gudea's 
croakings,  and  casting  the  civil-minister  into  prison  I 
Not  one  man  can  say  a  fair  word  for  the  deed." 

"  The  more  particularly,"  thrust  in  the  merchant, 
"  because  Gudea  himself  has  died  the  death  not  long 
since.  I  saw  the  crows  around  his  skull  the  last 
time  I  passed  under  the  gate.  Jew  or  Chaldee,  no 
man  ought  to  suffer  bonds  on  such  evidence.  The 
minister  is  no  more  guilty  of  slaying  by  sorcery 
than  you  or  I.  A  trick  of  Avil-Marduk,  I  say; 
there  is  too  much  priestcraft  loose  in  Babylon. 
My  head  already  sits  overlightly  on  its  shoulders." 

"  Peace  !  "  conjured  Itti,  "  never  will  I,  a  loyal 
and  pious  citizen,  suffer  such  treason  to  be  prated 
against  my  betters  !  " 

"No  alarm,"  answered  Gabarruru,  feeling  that  per 
haps  he  had  gone  too  far,  uwe  are  all  loyal  and 
obedient  men.  Daniel,  at  least,  has  been  saved  for 
the  present  by  the  queen-mother." 

"The  queen-mother  saved  the  Jew  for  the  mo 
ment,"  replied  the  barber,  "  but  I  think  his  neck 
will  last  through  to-day,  and  no  longer.  You  know 
the  custom.  When  the  ship  of  Bel  reaches  the  foot 
of  the  ziggurat,  the  chief  priest  can  demand  of  the 
king  one  boon,  and  the  king  cannot  refuse  it.  You 
may  imagine  what  that  boon  will  be." 

"  The  life  of  Daniel  ?  " 

"  Nothing  else,  by  Marduk  !  But  I  imagine  there 
is  likely  to  be  another  part  to  the  tale.  Imbi-Ilu, 


THE   PROCESSION   OF   BEL  247 

the  chief  priest  of  Nabu,  is  Daniel's  good  friend. 
Mark  my  words,  the  priests  of  Nabu  and  of  Samas 
and  Nergal  of  Kisch  hate  Avil,  and  his  designs  to 
make  all  their  temples  subordinate  to  his  own, 
more  than  they  do  the  harmless  Jehovah  worship 
of  the  minister.  I  look  for  a  spark  on  the  firewood 
in  Babylon,  and  strange  sights  this  very  day." 

"  Ramman  protect  us  !  "  muttered  the  banker, 
uneasily.  "  I  have  put  down  fresh  loans  only  last 
night.  I  shall  lose  all." 

"Yes,"  continued  Mulis,  who  was  happiest  when 
peddling  bad  news  that  did  not  touch  himself,  "  we 
must  prepare  for  grievous  times.  Now  that  the 
king  has  clapped  the  Persian  envoy  in  durance,  and 
keeps  him  prisoner  in  his  chambers  at  the  palace, 
I  think  we  may  see  a  war  the  like  of  which  was  not 
since  the  brave  days  of  Nebuchadnezzar.  Ea,  the 
God  of  Wisdom,  alone  knows  what  it  was  that  befell 
during  the  royal  hunt.  Forth  goes  his  Majesty  and 
Darius,  boon  companions  as  Gilgamesh  and  Eabani  ; 
they  come  back  eying  each  other  like  two  cocks 
in  the  farmer's  yard.  The  next  thing  we  hear,  the 
Persian  is  a  state  prisoner.  Woe,  what  wretched 
times  !  " 

A  groan  cut  the  barber  short,  for  a  hot  curling 
iron  had  tingled  on  Gabarruru's  neck. 

"  Nergal  blast  you,  chattering  sparrow  !  "  was  his 
curse.  "Must  I  be  roasted  like  a  stalled  ox  every 
time  I  seek  your  shop  ?  " 

"  Mercy,  gentle  sir,"  soothed  Mulis  ;  "  I  was  but 


248  BELSHAZZAR 

saying  to  the  noble  Itti,  that  the  evil  omens 
which  have  plagued  the  city  of  late,  seem  too  nigh 
fulfilment.  Piety  declines,  the  gods  are  neglected — " 

"  Small  loss  !  "  growled  the  corn  merchant,  who 
was  a  very  impious  man  ;  "  the  gods  are  of  little 
use.  They  may  be  all-wise,  and  know  each  secret 
we  would  give  everything  to  learn,  but  they  are 
most  inconveniently  silent  when  they  might  serve 
us.  My  brother  spent  half  his  estate  on  priests  and 
exorcists  ;  much  favour  heaven  gave  him  —  he  died 
childless  and  poor  !  While  I,  who  have  not  given 
one  of  Avil's  cattle  two  shekels  in  ten  years,  wax 
prosperous  and  fat  !  " 

"  Hush,"  exhorted  Itti,  horrified,  "  do  not  blaspheme 
before  me  !  Doubtless  heaven  will,  with  one  clap, 
smite  you  down  for  your  wickedness  — " 

A  second  touch  of  the  iron  and  renewed  curses 
interrupted  the  broker.  And  before  the  conversation 
resumed,  into  the  shop  came  Hasba,  the  tall,  gaunt 
priest  of  Nabu,  his  costume  very  threadbare,  and  his 
eyes  glittering  as  if  with  ill-concealed  excitement. 

"  Well,  Hasba,"  cried  Mulis,  pausing  in  his  curl 
ing  for  the  twentieth  time,  "  you  are  in  a  strange 
robe  for  a  festival  day.  Is  Nabu  so  poor  a  god  he 
can  give  his  priests  nothing  better  ?  " 

"Nabu  is  very  poor  and  hungry  —  to-day,"  re 
sponded  Hasba,  with  a  significant  cough,  which 
made  Itti  look  at  him  very  hard. 

"  But  not  yesterday  or  to-morrow  ? "  pressed 
Mulis,  pricking  his  ears. 


THE   PROCESSION   OF   BEL  249 

"Quietly."  Hasba's  voice  sank  very  low.  "You 
are  all  good  friends,  and  will  leak  nothing.  See  !  " 
He  showed  a  short  sword  girded  under  his  mantle. 

"  Istar  help  us  !  "  cried  the  broker.  "  What  will 
happen  ?  " 

"Patience,  worthy  Itti.  Avil-Marduk  is  likely 
to  learn  strange  things  before  nightfall.  We  have 
sworn  loyalty  to  Belshazzar,  but  not  to  Avil.  His 
Majesty  loves  the  priest  of  Bel-Marduk  too  well. 
Why  is  Daniel  in  the  palace  prison  ?  Not  because 
he  4  kills  by  sorcery,'  as  that  scorpion  Gudea  charged, 
nor  because  he  is  a  Jew.  He  stands  betwixt  Avil 
and  his  design  to  make  Belshazzar  his  tool,  to 
make  all  the  priesthoods  of  Babylon  slaves  of  Bel- 
Marduk.  Imbi-Ilu  is  not  a  man  to  see  the  deed 
done  in  silence.  To-day  we  of  Nabu  appear  in 
tattered  mantles  that  the  people  may  see  how  the 
king  is  starving  us.  And  as  for  Avil,  if  he  seeks 
Daniel's  life,  let  both  him  and  the  king  beware  !  " 

"  Ramman  protect  us  ! "  muttered  Itti  again. 
"  When  was  ever  such  strife  in  Babylon  ?  " 

"  A  strange  case  that  of  Daniel's,"  commented 
Mulis.  "  I  hear  that  the  king  was  very  desirous 
of  laying  his  hands  on  his  would-be  son-in-law 
Isaiah,  who  was  so  loud  in  denouncing  the  gods,  and 
more  than  desirous  of  getting  the  minister's  daughter 
(the  maid  was  called  Ruth)  for  his  own  harem. 
Yet  both  have  escaped  him,  though  their  arrest  was 
ordered." 

"  Vanished  utterly,"  replied  the  priest,  gathering 


250  BELSHAZZAK 

his  robe  tightly,  to  guard  against  an  unfriendly  eye 
upon  the  sword  ;  but  his  tone  and  wink  made 
the  others  stare  at  him,  then  exchange  knowing 
glances. 

"As  for  the  young  Jew,"  continued  Hasba,  with 
the  air  of  a  person  who  knows  far  more  than  he  is 
likely  to  tell,  "  he  is  a  man  of  great  resources,  and 
knows  the  city  as  a  bird  the  way  to  its  nest.  All 
the  Jews  reverence  him  as  a  prophet  of  their  Jehovah, 
and  protect  him  when  they  can.  My  own  master, 
Imbi-Ilu,  esteems  him  highly,  notwithstanding  his 
absurd  devotion  to  his  native  god.  But  the  Jewess," 
Hasba's  lips  curled  in  a  very  bitter  smile,  "she  is 
safe  also,  and  Nabu  grant  shall  remain  so  long,  for 
the  man  who  prompted  his  Majesty  to  try  to  take 
her  by  force  from  our  temple  is  devoted  to  the 
'Maskim '  if  the  gods  keep  any  power  to  punish  sac 
rilege.  Better  worship  a  thousand  Jehovahs,  than 
do  one  deed  like  that." 

"  You  of  Borsippa  do  not  hate  this  Jewish  god 
so  very  fiercely  ?  "  remarked  Mulis,  shrewdly. 

"  He  is  a  harmless  demon.  We  of  the  temple  of 
Nabu  only  know  this,  —  that  we  have  no  hate  to 
squander  on  any,  saving  Avil-Marduk  and  his  under- 
lings." 

"  Be  that  as  it  may,"  was  Mulis's  answer,  "  Isaiah 
and  the  maid  have  been  in  marvellously  safe  hiding. 
The  king  threatens  Mermaza's  head  if  she  is  not 
found." 

"Then   may  the   chief   eunuch's  pate  topple   off 


THE   PKOCESSION   OF   BEL  251 

quickly  !  "  swore  Hasba.  "  Next  to  Avil  we  love 
him  the  least." 

Gabarruru's  tortures  were  at  an  end  at  last,  but 
just  as  he  was  about  to  quit  the  barber's  shop,  the 
sudden  rush  of  people  to  the  street  from  all  the 
adjoining  alleys,  and  the  din  of  distant  horns  and 
kettle-drums,  told  that  the  long-waited  procession 
was  at  hand.  Hasba  excused  himself  and  was  off, 
leaving  the  others  to  meditate  on  his  warnings  and 
await  the  issue  in  what  peace  they  might.  The 
clangour  of  cymbals  grew  louder  continually.  The 
street  was  becoming  one  sea  of  heads.  By  standing 
on  the  little  raised  platform  of  the  barber's  shop,  it 
was  possible  to  gain  a  fair  view  up  the  avenue,  where 
one  could  see  standards  tossing,  and  the  shimmer  of 
steel. 

"  Way  !  way  !  "  rang  the  familiar  cry  at  length, 
and  a  squad  of  scarlet-robed  wand-bearers  began 
forcing  the  people  backward  toward  the  house  walls. 
After  this  advance  corps  streamed  the  priestesses 
of  Istar,  tall,  comely  women,  their  heads  and  necks 
wreathed  with  flowers,  their  dresses  of  tinted  Egyp 
tian  gauze  floating  around  them  in  bright  clouds, 
the  transparent  web  falling  in  folds  none  the  most 
prudish.  The  older  priestesses  walked  in  well- 
drilled  files,  bearing  gay  banners,  and  keeping  up 
an  incessant  clatter  upon  their  tambourines;  but 
their  younger  sisters  would  break  ranks,  time  and 
again,  and  whirl  in  voluptuous  dances,  joining  hands, 
shaking  out  their  streaming  black  locks,  tearing  off 


252  BELSHAZZAK, 

their  coronals  to  cast  amid  the  admiring  crowd,  or 
even  when  they  saw  a  handsome  youth,  would  pluck 
him  from  the  multitude  by  sheer  force,  and  whirl 
him  with  them ;  then,  at  a  change  in  the  music,  all 
released  their  captives,  and  marched  demurely  until 
the  spirits  moved  them  to  new  madness. 

So  the  "  Maids  of  the  Grove,"  to  the  number  of 
many  hundreds,  passed.  But  when  the  soldiers  of 
the  palace  guard  followed,  each  in  his  gayest  mantle 
and  brightest  helmet,  Mulis  whispered  in  the  banker's 
ear  :  — 

"A  costly  blunder,  unless  there  is  no  fire  under 
much  smoke.  Look  at  the  guard  !  " 

"  What  is  amiss  ? "  demanded  Itti,  rubbing  his 
eyes. 

"  The  troops  have  neither  shields  nor  spears  with 
them,  only  their  parade  arms,  sword,  and  helmet. 
His  Majesty  may  have  cause  to  rue  this  blunder." 

"  Ramman  protect  us  !  "  implored  Itti  yet  another 
time.  But  now  fifty  squeaking  pipers  headed  the 
files  of  the  priests  of  Samas  from  the  southern  city, 
a  notable  array  of  handsome  men,  white  robes,  and 
nodding  banners.  After  them  marched  their  breth 
ren  of  Sin,  the  moon-god ;  then  those  of  Nergal 
from  the  Kisch  suburb ;  then  the  priestesses  of 
Nana,  consort  of  Nabu. 

Suddenly  a  great  shout  began  running  down  the 
street  in  advance  of  the  next  contingent. 

"  Hail,  Nabu  !  Hail,  son  of  Marduk  !  Hail, 
Imbi-Ilu,  holy  priest  of  the  god  !  " 


THE   PROCESSION   OF   BEL  253 

"  Nabu,  they  say,  is  the  son  of  Marduk,"  com 
mented  Gabarruru,  dryly.  "  He  bears  dutiful  love 
for  his  parent,  if  what  Hasba  says  is  true." 

"  Do  not  blaspheme  him,"  implored  the  broker  ; 
"he  is  a  great  god,  the  peer  of  Marduk  almost.  The 
son  has  the  place  of  honour  in  the  father's  procession. 
Pity  the  two  must  quarrel." 

"  Bow  down  !  The  knee  !  The  knee  !  "  rang  the 
shout,  and  the  multitude  (all  that  had  room)  knelt 
on  the  stone  pavement,  while  from  a  distance  sounded 
a  mighty  rumbling  as  of  clumsy  wheels.  Soon  there 
lumbered  into  view  an  enormous  wain,  dragged  by 
long  cables  like  those  for  a  stone  bull,  but  no  sullen 
labour  gang  was  tugging  now.  Many  leaped  from 
their  knees  and  contended  with  the  priests  who  were 
toiling  at  the  ropes,  for  the  honour  of  drawing  the 
god.  Upon  the  wain  rode  Nabu's  "  Ship  of  the 
Deep,"  a  goodly-sized  galley,  fitted  with  a  towering 
mast  and  tackle.  Upon  her  decks  swarmed  a  score 
of  priests  in  lieu  of  crew,  and  perched  upon  the  up- 
curved  stern  was  the  idol  of  the  god,  a  block  of  black 
stone,  human  size,  but  with  features  of  such  ugliness 
that  the  very  fiends  beholding  might  well  have  trem 
bled.  Yet  at  sight  of  that  image  even  Gabarruru 
bowed  his  head,  for  it  had  been  the  guardian  genius 
of  Babylon  and  Borsippa  for  more  generations  than 
the  wisest  could  tell. 

Yet  a  great  wail  of  wrath  and  disappointment 
seemed  rising  from  the  people.  "  Nabu's  priests  are 
threadbare  !  Where  are  their  robes  of  honour  ? 


254  BELSHAZZAR 

Where  are  the  jewels  once  on  the  gunwales  of  the 
ship  ?  Where  are  the  golden  dresses  of  the  image  ?  " 
The  three  in  the  barber's  shop  rubbed  their  eyes. 
In  the  crowd  they  saw  Hasba  and  others,  doubtless 
fellow-priests,  bustling  about,  whispering  in  the  ear 
of  this  burgher  and  of  that. 

Imbi-Ilu,  second  pontiff  of  the  realm,  the  friend 
of  Daniel  and  the  arch-foe  of  Avil,  stood  handsome 
and  erect  beside  the  image  of  his  god  ;  but  there  was 
no  tiara  on  his  head,  his  robe  was  torn  and  sombre. 

"  Marduk  is  robbing  Nabu  !  "  some  bold  spirit  in 
the  crowd  was  shouting.  "  The  priests  of  Bel-Mar- 
duk  grow  fat ;  those  of  Nabu  starve  !  Down  with 
Avil !  " 

But  the  servants  of  the  Borsippa  god  marched  on 
in  silence,  each  man  smiling  grimly  when  he  saw 
how  their  pitiful  display  was  working  on  the  crowd, 
and  pressing  his  mantle  around  his  hidden  sword. 
And  there  were  other  cries  at  times  :  — 

"  Release  Daniel !  Release  the  good  minister  ! 
Release  !  Down  with  Avil !  " 

"Evil  times  !  "  muttered  Itti.  "While  Nabonidus 
was  king  the  processions  were  suspended  ;  now  they 
become  mere  occasion  for  tumult." 

"Well,"  protested  the  cheerful  barber,  "here 
comes  his  Majesty  and  the  car  of  Bel-Marduk.  We 
shall  soon  see  now." 

A  new  corps  of  musicians,  new  guards.  A  second 
boat  creaked  past  on  its  many  wheels.  High  above 
the  noise  of  the  crowd  sounded  the  hymn  chanted 


THE  PROCESSION  OF  BEL  255 

by  the   choir   of   chosen   priests   and   priestesses  in 
praise  of  Bel-Marduk,  smiter  of   the  great  dragon. 

"  Look  favourably  upon  thy  dwelling-place, 
Look  favourably  upon  thy  city,  O  Lord  of  quietness ! 
May  Babylon  salute  thee,  and  thy  temple, 
May  the  city  find  safety  under  thee !  " 

After  this  choir  moved  the  car,  and,  unlike 
Nabu's,  it  was  a  single  blaze  of  colour.  The  four 
snow-white  "sacred  horses"  who  aided  to  drag  the 
ship  tossed  their  bridles  of  silver  chains,  and 
champed  on  bits  of  pure  gold.  The  sail  and  pen 
nons  were  covered  with  the  rarest  embroideries,  the 
gunwale  glittered  with  precious  stones  —  agate,  onyx, 
lapis-lazuli.  The  idol  on  the  stern  wore  a  robe  that 
was  one  sheen  of  golden  lace.  But  Belshazzar  the 
king,  who  sat  under  his  purple  umbrella  upon  the 
prow,  scowled  at  Avil,  his  prime  counsellor,  who 
stood  beside  him. 

"  The  people  give  thrice  as  many  cheers  for  Nabu 
as  for  Bel.  The  gods  reward  me  if  I  do  not  make 
Imbi-Ilu  pay  the  price  for  his  mummery  !  To  appear 
with  his  priests  in  tatters,  and  his  car  all  stripped  of 
decoration,  at  the  moment  when  the  procession  was 
about  to  start !  He  knew  well  I  would  never  have 
suffered  his  company  to  march,  had  it  not  meant  a 
riot  to  leave  behind  the  car  of  Nabu!  " 

Avil  deliberately  cast  his  eyes  down  over  the 
swelling  crowd,  and  readjusted  the  horn-set  tiara 
that  crowned  his  head. 

"  The  more  reason  for  striking  down  Daniel,  my 


256  BELSHAZZAR 

king.  His  fate  will  be  a  mighty  warning  to  Imbi- 
Ilu." 

"  Once  you  advised  me  to  move  gently  with  him, 
yet  you  are  bold  now." 

"  True  ;  but  I  have  set  my  feet  on  the  path,  and 
see  no  danger  to-day." 

"  Release  Daniel !  Release  !  Release  !  Down  with 
Avil !  "  broke  in  the  bolder  spirits  in  the  crowd,  as 
if  to  give  the  lie  to  the  hardy  pontiff. 

Avil  spat  at  them  in  contempt.  "Stingless 
drones !  "  commented  he.  "  They  will  forget  the 
Jew  by  another  Sabbath."1 

"  I  am  led  in  all  things  by  you,"  replied  Belshazzar, 
in  a  tone  that  showed  he  nigh  felt  himself  overper- 
suaded.  Avil  only  salaamed,  and  turned  to  pay  his 
respects  to  the  Princess  Atossa,  whose  chair  was 
upon  the  prow,  close  beside  that  of  her  royal  lord. 

"  My  princess  sees  a  sight  that  must  be  rare  in  her 
native  Persia,"  began  he,  blandly.  "  If  my  informa 
tion  does  not  fail,  the  worship  of  the  Persian  Ahura 
and  his  archangels  does  not  demand  such  elaborate 
processions  as  these." 

Atossa  turned  upon  him  haughtily,  and  from 
under  her  veil  shot  through  him  a  glance  such  as 
can  dart  only  from  the  eyes  of  a  great  king's 
daughter. 

"Assuredly,  worthy  priest,"  and  Avil  winced  be 
fore  her  disdainful  patronage,  "  it  is  true  our  prophet 

1  The  Babylonians  observed  a  seventh  day  as  sacred,  much  after 
the  Jewish  fashion.  It  was  likewise  called  "  The  Sabbath." 


THE  PROCESSION   OF   BEL  257 

Zarathushtra l  enjoins  no  processions  where  the  pop 
ulace  heap  personal  revilings  on  the  chief  of  our 
Magian  pontiffs." 

"  Down  with  Avil !  Release  Daniel !  Nabu  is 
outraged  !  "  buzzed  from  the  crowd. 

"  Ah,  my  princess,"  said  Avil,  smiling,  "  the  king 
is  overkindly  disposed.  Could  I  persuade  him, 
these  seditious  fellows  would  soon  shout  other 
wise." 

"  His  Majesty  is  too  kindly  disposed  ?  "  replied 
she,  removing  her  veil  that  Avil  might  see  the  un 
concealed  sneer  on  her  lips. 

"  His  heart  is  a  mountain  of  compassion,"  asserted 
the  priest,  who  felt  that  he  was  being  made  sorry 
sport  of,  yet  would  not  retire  from  the  encounter. 

"  But  not  so  merciful  as  my  Lord  Avil,"  interposed 
Mermaza,  the  oily  chief  eunuch,  glad  to  prod  his 
comrade,  "  for  his  heart  is  one  sponge  soaked  with 
magnanimity." 

"  Marduk  blast  you,  Mermaza  !  "  muttered  Avil 
under  breath. 

"  I  trust  not,"  replied  the  smirking  eunuch,  "  the 
excellent  god,  my  dear  Avil,  will  need  all  his 
powers  for  weightier  things  to-day.  Hear  the 
people  —  " 

"  Avil  conspires  against  Nabu  !  Rescue  for  the 
good  minister  I  Release  Daniel  !  " 

To  reenf  orce  the  shouts,  a  brick  flung  by  some  mad 
rascal  in  the  crowd  dashed  against  the  car. 

1  Often,  though  incorrectly,  written  "  Zoroaster." 


258  BELSHAZZAR 

"  Be  persuaded,  Avil,"  urged  Mermaza  ;  "  make 
no  demand  for  Daniel's  life." 

"  Spare  the  Jew  ?  Never  will  I  yield  a  4  finger 
breadth.'  Having  gone  thus  far,  it  is  self-destruction 
to  turn  back." 

44  Nevertheless,  I  wish  we  had  brought  more  sol 
diers  from  the  palace." 

Belshazzar  was  beckoning  to  the  priest,  and  he 
turned  away,  whereupon  Atossa  addressed  Mermaza 
wearily  :  — 

44  Is  it  far  now  to  the  temple  of  Marduk  ?  " 

44  Not  far ;  yet  why  is  my  mistress  so  tired  ?  The 
under  eunuchs  tell  me  she  did  not  sleep.  The  king's 
Egyptian  doctor  must  prepare  a  night  draught." 

44  Alas  !  that  can  profit  little  when  I  consider  that 
Prince  Darius's  life  is  in  danger  while  he  is  a 
prisoner." 

44  Danger  ? "  Mermaza's  smile  was  radiant  as  the 
moon.  44  Has  not  his  Majesty  pledged  that  he  is 
perfectly  safe  ?  His  life  is  more  precious  than  the 
gems  in  the  royal  treasure  chamber." 

Atossa  fixed  her  clear  eyes  straight  upon  the  eu 
nuch,  and  even  he  glanced  away  from  her  uneasily. 

44  Mermaza,"  said  she,  very  coldly,  44 1  think  it  will 
be  better  for  both  of  us  if  we  hide  fewer  black 
thoughts  under  smooth  protestations.  You  know 
as  well  as  I  that  Darius  is  held  as  a  hostage,  to  tie 
the  hands  of  my  father  in  requiting  Belshazzar  for 
his  dark  intrigue." 

44 1   am  only  your   ladyship's   slave,"   the  eunuch 


THE  PROCESSION   OF  BEL  259 

bowed  obsequiously.  "  Who  am  I  to  say  my  mis 
tress  'nay'?" 

"And  for  once  you  speak  well  in  very  truth," 
answered  she,  the  hot  colour  of  anger  rising  at  last ; 
"  for  to  a  man  I  would  bow  as  to  one  mightier  than 
I,  and  to  a  woman  I  would  answer  wrath  with  wrath. 
But  to  you,  who  are  neither  man  nor  maid,  but  only 
creature,  I  will  vouchsafe  not  one  curse  ;  one  does 
not  bend  the  bow  to  slaughter  gnats  !  " 

Mermaza's  smile  had  become  sickly  indeed;  but 
she  deliberately  turned  her  back  upon  him,  and  kept 
company  with  her  own  gloomy  meditations. 

She  had  not  seen  Darius  since  that  evening  hour 
when  they  were  surprised  in  the  Hanging  Gardens. 
Report  in  the  harem  had  it  that  the  prince  was 
under  close  ward  in  his  own  chambers,  and  that  all 
the  Persians  of  his  suite  had  been  arrested.  All  save 
one  :  Ariathes,  the  crafty  and  the  nimble,  had  passed 
from  sight  as  completely  as  if  he  had  never  been 
born.  Was  he  escaped  to  Susa,  and  had  the  truth 
come  to  the  mighty  Cyrus's  ears?  It  was  a  faint 
hope,  but  all  that  was  left  in  the  princess's  despairing 
breast.  The  seizure  of  Darius,  just  at  the  instant 
when  the  future  seemed  bursting  fair  before  her, 
and  escape  so  close  at  hand,  had  almost  blotted  out 
the  sun  for  Atossa.  It  had  taken  all  her  womanly 
strength  and  royal  pride  to  bear  up  in  the  presence 
of  her  oppressors.  Yet  at  that  moment  she  had  be 
come  possessed  with  one  deep  desire, — to  see  that 
Babylonian  mob  rise  and  take  vengeance  on  Avil- 


260  BELSHAZZAB, 

Marduk  and  his  grim  master ;  and  the  howls  of  the 
multitude  sounded  sweeter  in  her  ears  than  all  the 
harping. 

The  great  ziggurat  at  last  !  They  had  passed  up 
the  "  Procession  Street,"  the  broad  avenue  that  led 
past  the  temple  of  "Istar  the  Foe-smiter."  There 
had  been  howls,  ever  increasing,  from  the  multi 
tude.  Once  the  soldiers  had  charged  with  drawn 
blades  to  clear  the  way  for  Bel-Marduk's  car,  but 
there  had  been  no  bloodshed.  Avil,  Mermaza,  and 
their  royal  lord  breathed  easier.  Before  them  was 
rising  "E-Sagila"  "The  Lofty  House,"  queen  of  the 
temple-towers  of  Babylon.  The  seven  terraces  of 
the  great  cone  were  all  decked  with  flowers  and 
streaming  banners,  the  parapets  of  the  different 
stages  were  swarming  with  the  people,  flowers  were 
festooned  over  every  pinnacle  and  battlement. 

There  it  uprose  against  the  azure,  a  vast  moun 
tain  of  brick,  its  lowest  terrace  painted  white,  the 
second  black,  the  third  purple,  the  fourth  blue,  the 
fifth  vermilion,  the  sixth  plated  with  silver,  the  sev 
enth —  the  day-beacon  first  hailed  by  the  Persians 
— was  glittering  with  its  sheen  of  gold.  The  bull- 
guarded  gates  had  opened  wide  for  the  ship  of  Mar 
duk.  Inside  the  vast  courtyard  at  the  foot  of  the 
tower  had  arrayed  themselves  all  the  priests  and 
soldiery  that  had  preceded  the  car  of  the  god.  All 
but  those  from  Borsippa  stood  on  the  left  of  the 
gateway  ;  but  the  servants  of  Nabu,  with  their  ship, 


THE   PROCESSION   OF  BEL  261 

were  arrayed  silent  and  sombre  on  the  right.  Imbi- 
Ilu's  company  thus  kept  an  ominous  peace,  but  there 
was  no  lack  of  cheering  for  Bel-Marduk  now.  Even 
the  disaffected  multitude  that  had  tried  to  attack 
the  procession  grew  hushed  and  quiet  when  it  passed 
within  the  sacred  gates. 

Loudly  rose  the  well-drilled  acclamations  from 
the  thousands  of  gentlefolk  and  temple  servants 
perched  upon  the  heights  of  the  terraces  above. 

"  Hail,  Marduk  !  Hail,  Dragon-smiter  !  Hail, 
Belshazzar,  beloved  of  the  gods  !  Hail,  Avil,  ser 
vant  of  the  Guardian  of  Babylon  !  "  There  were 
more  cheers  for  Atossa,  for  the  vizier,  for  the  "  com 
mander  of  the  host."  Then,  just  as  the  ship  of  Bel- 
Marduk  reached  the  foot  of  the  great  stairway 
leading  to  the  first  stage  of  the  tower,  the  corps  of 
priests  marching  before  the  god  suddenly  raised  a 
shout  that  had  not  been  heard  before  that  day  :  — 

"  Death  to  the  Jew  !  Death  to  Daniel  the  mur 
derer  !  Death  !  Death  !  " 

Instantly  the  crowds  of  Avil's  underlings  upon 
the  tower  caught  up  the  cry.  But  though  the  noise 
swelled  to  a  deafening  clamour,  and  all  the  files  of  the 
soldiers  joined,  Atossa  heard  no  priest  of  Samas  or 
Sin  or  Nergal  open  his  lips.  They  were  every  man 
silent,  like  their  fellows  from  Borsippa.  And  the 
great  multitude  that  had  trailed  into  the  gate  at 
the  tail  of  the  procession  was  silent  also.  Yet  from 
Avil-Marduk's  supporters,  and  from  the  throng  of 
courtiers  about  the  king,  the  outcry  continually  in- 


262  BELSHAZZAB, 

creased.  Belshazzar,  she  divined,  must  be  able 
to  say  he  sacrificed  Daniel  to  quell  the  general 
clamour. 

Louder,  ever  louder,  "  Death  to  Daniel !  Death  to 
the  murderer  !  Extirpate  the  Jews  !  " 

Atossa  saw  men  with  speaking  trumpets  stationed 
at  advantageous  points  to  roar  across  the  sea  of 
heads,  and  make  one  voice  pass  for  twenty. 

"  Death  to  Daniel !     Death  to  the  civil-minister  !  " 

The  heads  of  the  sacred  colleges  of  the  temple, 
the  chief  "  libation-pourer,"  the  chief  "  demon-re- 
strainer,"  and  their  peers,  had  come  to  lift  the  idol 
from  its  station  in  the  car,  and  bear  it  to  the  sum 
mit  of  the  ziggurat;  the  king  had  descended  from 
the  ship  to  follow  them.  Their  feet  were  on  the 
first  stair,  when  across  their  path  stood  Avil-Marduk, 
in  his  hand  the  long  white  staff  of  his  office,  and 
obedient  to  his  gesture  the  clamorous  underlings 
and  soldiers  were  silent  instantly. 

"  Hearken,  O  Belshazzar,  lord  of  Babylon  and  Ak- 
kad.  On  the  day  of  the  great  feast  of  Bel,  when  the 
image  of  Bel  is  borne  to  the  crest  of  the  Lofty  House, 
is  it  not  the  right  of  the  god  —  a  right,  and  not  a 
boon  —  to  demand  of  the  king  of  Babylon  one  thing 
whatsoever  the  god,  even  Bel-Marduk,  may  desire  ?  " 

It  was  so  still  that  the  thousands  could  hear  Bel- 
shazzar's  answer  :  — 

"  It  is  so,  O  Avil,  mouthpiece  of  the  '  Lord  of  the 
Lofty  House.' ' 

"  Therefore  I,  O  Belshazzar,  do  demand,  as  a  thing 


THE   PKOCESSION   OF  BEL  263 

not  to  be  denied,  the  life  of  that  enemy  of  the  god, 
that  guilty  murderer,  that  impious  blasphemer — " 

But  the  high  priest  said  no  more.  Every  eye  had 
turned,  his  own  also.  Directly  above  him,  at  the 
head  of  the  steps  to  the  first  terrace,  had  stepped 
forth  a  young  man,  who  beckoned  to  the  people. 
And  a  hundred  whispered  to  their  neighbours  :  — 

"  Isaiah  !  Isaiah  the  Jew,  who  prophesies  for  his 
God,  Jehovah  !  " 


CHAPTER   XVII 

ISAIAH  was  robed  in  spotless  white.  His  station 
at  the  head  of  the  broad  stairway  to  the  lower 
terrace  of  the  temple-tower  raised  him  full  thirty 
cubits  above  the  multitude.  With  the  myriads 
packing  the  area  below,  the  glittering  array  of  the 
procession  at  his  feet,  the  shining  crest  of  the  zig- 
gurat  towering  above,  no  marvel  he  was  the  one 
figure  on  which  a  thousand  eyes  were  fastened. 
And  as  they  gazed  on  him,  the  crowds  grew  still. 
Who  was  this  that  stayed  the  hands  of  Bel-Marduk's 
own  priest,  in  the  god's  own  dwelling  ?  Men  felt 
their  hearts  beating  loudly,  their  breath  was  bated ; 
and  each  passed  to  each  the  whisper,  "  Either  the 
Jew  is  mad,  or  the  spirit  of  some  mighty  god  pos 
sesses  him.  Let  us  listen." 

The  king  was  silent,  Avil-Marduk  was  silent,  and 
the  chiefs  of  the  sacred  colleges,  the  captains  of'1  the 
army.  Only  the  spell  of  power  passing  human  — 
every  heart  was  confessing  —  could  make  the  high 
priest's  words  die  on  his  lips,  his  eyes  hang  captive 
on  the  compelling  power  sped  from  the  eyes  of  the 
youthful  Jew. 

264 


BEL  TOTTERS  265 

In  the  profound  silence  Isaiah  spoke.  Clear  and 
strong  his  words  sounded  across  the  packed  en 
closure. 

"  Woe,  woe,  woe  unto  Babylon  !  Unto  the  great 
city,  the  cry  of  whose  sins  is  gone  up  to  heaven  ! 
Whose  evil  deeds  are  uncounted  !  Woe  unto  Baby 
lon,  and  woe  to  her  base  priests  and  baser  king  !  " 

Was  it  not  a  god  that  dared  to  revile  the  lord  of 
the  Chaldees  before  his  face  ?  The  silence  was  not 
broken.  Isaiah  spoke  again. 

"  Woe  unto  Belshazzar  and  Avil-Marduk,  who 
seek  the  blood  of  the  innocent  for  their  own  dark 
ends  !  Whose  power  is  born  of  treachery  and  lies  ! 
Who  spare  neither  the  hoary  head,  nor  the  guileless 
maid  !  Woe  unto  king  and  priest  and  to  all  who 
walk  after  them  ! " 

Men  saw  Avil-Marduk  turn  away  his  gaze  as  from 
a  sight  of  ill-omen.  Those  near  by  heard  him  mut 
ter  to  Sirusur,  commander  of  the  host :  — 

"  This  is  a  madman  !  Pluck  him  down,  and  end 
his  ravings !  " 

But  Sirusur  only  stood  and  stared  dumbly,  and 
Avil  was  impotent. 

"  Hear  ye,  hear  ye,  men  of  Babylon  !  "  thundered 
the  prophet.  "Hitherto  the  spirit  of  Jehovah,  the 
Lord  God,  has  sent  me  to  my  own  people.  This  day 
His  message  is  to  you  and  to  your  sinful  king. 

"  Come  down  and  sit  in  the  dust,  O  virgin 
daughter  of  Babylon  !  There  is  no  throne  left  to 
you,  O  daughter  of  the  Chaldees.  No  more  shall 


266  BELSHAZZAK 

you  be  called  tender  and  delicate  ;  therefore  take 
the  millstones  and  grind  the  meal  in  hard  labour. 
Your  vileness  and  shame  shall  be  revealed  ;  for  I, 
Jehovah,  will  take  vengeance.  I  will  bring  the 
strong  races  that  serve  me,  and  the  king  that  wor 
ships  me,  against  you.  I  will  abase  your  pride. 
Therefore  sit  you  in  silence,  and  get  you  into  dark 
ness,  O  daughter  of  the  Chaldees,  for  never  again 
shall  they  declare  you  '  Lady  of  Kingdoms  '  !  " 

By  this  time  the  most  hardened  scoffer  felt  his 
knees  beating  together  in  dread.  The  rumour  of  evil 
omens  that  had  shaken  the  city  of  late,  the  sup 
pressed  excitement  of  the  morning,  which  all  now 
expected  to  end  in  a  tumult,  the  sudden  apparition 
of  this  Jew,  whose  arrest  had  been  diligently  sought 
—  what  more  was  needed  to  spread  a  trembling 
among  the  thousands?  And  when  Isaiah  paused, 
there  came  in  answer  many  gasps  and  cries  :  "  No 
more  !  Woe,  woe  !  Heaven  is  wroth  with  us,  and 
with  our  children  I"  But  the  Hebrew  had  not 
finished. 

"  You  have  trusted  in  your  strong  walls,  men  of 
Chaldea  ;  in  Imgur-Bel,  in  Nimitti-Bel ;  in  the 
breadth  of  your  rivers.  You  have  filled  your  gran 
aries,  you  have  numbered  your  -chariots,  you  have 
gathered  your  captains.  But  I  say  unto  you,  except 
you  put  away  the  oppression  from  your  midst,  except 
your  king  spares  the  innocent,  and  turns  back  his 
lust  from  the  helpless,  and  makes  end  to  the  captiv 
ity  of  the  people  of  Jehovah  —  I,  even  the  God  of 


BEL   TOTTERS  267 

gods,  will  mock  your  rage  ;  will  bring  low  your 
pride  ;  will  make  a  way  for  your  enemies  through 
the  deep  waters ;  will  go  before  them  ;  will  prevail 
with  them,  and  give  the  empire  unto  another  who 
shall  be  my  servant,  who  shall  execute  righteous 
ness  toward  my  people,  and  judgment  toward  their 
oppressor.  Thus,  thus  is  the  word  of  Jehovah, 
before  whom  Marduk  is  less  than  dust,  and  Istar 
than  hoarfrost  beneath  the  sun  at  the  noonday." 

Isaiah  had  ended.  He  swept  his  robe  about  him, 
and  stood  silent,  steadfast,  neither  advancing  nor 
trying  to  flee  away.  Whence  he  had  come,  Ea  the 
Wise  alone  might  tell.  There  was  stillness  one 
instant,  till  the  first  magic  6f  his  spell  had  passed. 
Then,  following  the  impulse  already  strong  in  their 
hearts,  and  trebly  strengthened  by  the  Jew's  inspired 
warning,  most  of  the  multitude  broke  into  the  howl 
ing  cry  :  — 

"  The  gods  are  angry  on  account  of  Daniel ! 
Spare  Daniel !  Spare  !  Spare  !  " 

The  yell  was  the  signal  for  the  loosing  of  pande 
monium.  Instantly,  with  a  din  redoubled  by  the 
strange  interruption,  the  priests  of  Avil  resumed 
their  opposing  clamour. 

"  Death  to  both  Jews  !  Death  !  Death  !  Mar 
duk  is  enraged  !  Away  with  Daniel  !  " 

The  two  shouts  rose  in  one  deafening  babel.  But 
in  the  midst  of  the  din  the  chief  pontiff  had  made 
himself  heard  by  the  king,  and  a  "ten"  of  guards 
men  sped  up  the  stairs,  seized  Isaiah,  who  had  waited 


268  BELSHAZZAK, 

them  in  perfect  passiveness,  and  hurried  him  down 
to  their  royal  lord.  Belshazzar  was  standing  be 
neath  his  purple  parasol  at  the  foot  of  the  steps, 
close  by  the  car  of  Bel.  Ramman,  spreading  the 
hurricane  clouds,  was  never  blacker  than  the  king's 
face  when  they  dragged  the  Hebrew  before  him. 

"  Kill !  kill  !  "  that  was  all  they  could  hear  him 
shout,  striving  to  be  heard  above  the  increasing 
din. 

"  In  what  manner  ? "  demanded  Sirusur,  barely 
heard,  salaaming  respectfully.  "  I  wait  my  lord's 
command." 

"  Hew  off  his  head  ;  let  the  dogs  fight  over  his 
body  !  "  came  from  the  king  in  one  breath. 

"  Ah,  Jew  !  "  sneered  Avil,  during  a  lull ;  "  it 
would  have  been  better  to  have  been  led  by  me,  to 
have  forgotten  Jehovah  for  Bel-Marduk.  Will  your 
god  save  you  now  f  " 

"  If  it  be  His  will  He  can  indeed  save  me !  " 
flashed  back  Isaiah,  unflinching.  "  When  my  father 
Shadrach  would  not  bow  to  Nebuchadnezzar's  great 
statue  of  Bel  in  the  plain  of  Dura,  did  he  come  from 
the  king's  furnace  living  or  dead  ?  " 

"  Fairly  smitten  on  the  very  thigh,"  grunted  Bil- 
sandan,  who  took  small  pains  to  conceal  his  enmity 
toward  the  pontiff.  But  Avil's  flushed  face  only 
turned  the  darker,  as  he  threatened  the  prisoner. 

"  By  every  god  of  Babylon  you  shall  nevertheless 
die  a  jackal's  own  death  !  "  he  shouted,  while  Bel 
shazzar  still  thundered,  "Kill !  Kill  ! "  But  Sirusur 


BEL   TOTTEES  269 

stood  hesitant ;  for  if  his  lord  had  cast  off  the  Jew's 
spell,  the  general  was  still  under  it. 

In  his  fury  Belshazzar  tugged  at  the  short  sword 
at  his  side  that  he  might  become  himself  executioner, 
when  a  new  shout  of  the  people  finally  drowned  his 
commands. 

"  Spare  Daniel !  Spare  the  good  minister  !  Do 
not  anger  heaven  !  " 

Avil's  underlings  were  fairly  howled  down  at  last. 

"  Except  the  king  promise  to  spare  Daniel,  I  look 
for  a  riot  instantly,"  remonstrated  Bilsandan,  the 
vizier,  in  the  first  instant  of  silence. 

"  Better  let  Babylon  flow  with  blood,  be  he  ten 
times  innocent,"  blazed  the  wrathful  king,  "  than  I 
give  way  to  these  hissing  geese.  Khatin  ends  him 
to-night." 

Avil-Marduk  sped  to  the  terrace  where  Isaiah  had 
taken  station,  and  beckoned  in  vain  for  silence. 

"  Away  with  him  !  "  roared  the  crowd,  led  on  by 
Hasba,  the  bold  priest  of  Nabu.  "  Away  with  the 
king's  evil  councillor  !  " 

Belshazzar  had  mounted  to  his  friend's  side. 

"  Well,"  cried  he,  in  Avil's  ear,  "  Allat  has  loosed 
all  her  fiends  !  Let  sword  and  spear  quiet  them  !  " 

"  So  be  it,  my  king,"  answered  Avil,  putting  on  a 
bold  face,  though  quaking  within. 

Belshazzar  turned  to  Sirusur,  the  "  Master  of  the 
Host,"  "Hark  you,  general,"  stormed  the  king,  "this 
is  more  than  half  your  own  doing  ;  it  was  you  and 
Bilsandan  who  favoured  that  accursed  Daniel,  gained 


270  BELSHAZZAR 

his  reprieve,  and  left  these  geese  chance  to  hiss  so 
loudly.  Chase  them  outside  the  temple  grounds, 
and  that  quickly,  or  I  call  you  my  enemy  as  well  as 
Avil's." 

"  I  am  your  Majesty's  slave,"  retorted  the  general, 
colouring  angrily,  "  not  this  man's,"  with  a  menacing 
scowl  toward  Avil.  "  I  have  been  Imbi-Ilu's  friend, 
but  while  he  raises  hand  against  the  king  I  become 
his  enemy." 

"  Prove  it,  then,"  enjoined  Belshazzar,  fiercely ; 
"  form  your  men  !  Charge  !  " 

"  And  Isaiah  ?  "  the  general  asked. 

"  Spare  now.  We  must  torture  him  to  learn  where 
that  wench  Ruth  is  hidden,  for  she  is  no  more  at 
Borsippa.  Now  silence  this  hubbub." 

A  hubbub,  indeed.  The  people  were  flinging  dust 
in  the  air  and  calling  ominously  for  "  bricks."  Just 
as  Sirusur  had  formed  his  men  in  a  solid  body  by 
the  stairway,  a  priest  of  Nabu  drew  forth  a  short 
sword,  and  the  rest,  with  their  brethren  of  Sin  and 
Samas,  imitated  him  instantly. 

"  Down  with  Avil  !  Away  with  Avil,  the  king's 
evil  councillor  !  "  swelled  the  shout. 

"  Charge  !  Drown  out  this  yell  in  blood  ! "  com 
manded  Belshazzar.  And  with  this  command  wing 
ing  them,  the  guardsmen  hurled  themselves  on  the 
mob.  But  Mulis,  the  barber,  had  warned  truly,  that 
the  king  would  repent  that  the  soldiers  had  marched 
with  only  their  parade  swords.  Charging  in  a  solid 
body  upon  the  disorderly  array  opposed  to  them, 


BEL  TOTTEKS  271 

they  had  small  difficulty  in  beating  down  the  first 
rioters  they  encountered ;  slew  some,  arrested  others, 
and  drove  the  whole  multitude  —  rebellious  priests 
and  lawless  city  folk  —  backward  toward  the  tem 
ple  gates.  Flushed  with  their  triumph,  Sirusur's 
men  even  surrounded  the  ship  of  Nabu,  and  dragged 
from  his  high  car  Imbi-Ilu,  author  of  the  outbreak. 

"  Ha,  good  pontiff !  "  the  general  laughed,  cover 
ing  his  real  sympathy  with  Imbi-Ilu's  cause  under  a 
mighty  show  of  zeal,  "  you  are  not  likely  to  find  this 
day's  sport  cheaply  bought  ! "  And  he  called  to  two 
under  officers  to  hale  the  arch-malcontent  before  the 
king. 

But  even  as  Belshazzar  was  foaming  and  threaten 
ing  over  his  captive,  the  tide  of  conflict  turned ;  for, 
led  by  Hasba,  the  priests  of  Nabu  rallied  to  a  man  for 
the  rescue  of  their  chief.  The  ranks  of  the  soldiers 
had  been  broken  as  they  followed  up  their  victory. 
And  once  their  solid  array  shattered,  their  advantage 
was  gone.  The  priests  and  rioters  were  all  around 
them,  almost  crushing  them  with  incessant  volleys 
of  bricks,  and  guardsmen  as  well  as  the  mob  were 
now  falling  fast.  The  rioters  tore  down  the  copings 
of  the  enclosure  walls,  securing  an  exhaustless  sup 
ply  of  missiles.  The  troops  were  brave.  They 
charged  this  way  and  that,  but  every  time  their 
companies  were  shivered  into  smaller  fragments, 
around  which  the  multitude  rolled  like  the  billows 
of  an  angry  sea.  Sirusur  was  in  the  act  of  re-form 
ing  his  men  to  attempt  a  second  charge,  when  a 


272  BELSHAZZAK, 

brick  smote  his  helmet,  and  with  a  great  yell  of  tri 
umph  the  priests  of  Nabu  leaped  on  him,  plucked 
him  out  of  the  midst  of  his  men,  and  dragged  him 
away  safe  prisoner.  The  soldiers  made  one  last 
effort  to  rally,  but  with  their  leader  taken,  and  out 
numbered  ten  to  one,  they  were  swept  back  to  the 
stairs  of  the  ziggurat ;  and  in  a  moment  the  exult 
ing  priests  of  Nabu  were  charging  after  them,  forc 
ing  them  upward  step  by  step,  and  making  straight 
for  the  lower  terrace  of  the  tower,  where  the  royal 
party  was  stationed.  Only  when  they  saw  Sirusur 
taken  had  their  own  peril  dawned  fully  on  Belshazzar 
and  his  suite.  The  riot  was  taking  alarming  pro 
portions.  A  new  king  might  be  proclaimed  ere 
sunset  —  who  could  say  ? 

"  Glory,  glory  to  Nabu  !  to  Samas  !  to  Nergal  !  " 
a  thousand  throats  were  yelling.  "  Rescue  for  Imbi- 
Ilu!  Death  to  Avil  I"  " 

The  troops,  desperate  now,  turned  at  bay  halfway 
up  the  wide  staircase,  and  for  an  instant  their  close 
array  of  swinging  swords  made  the  rioters  recoil ;  but 
what  with  the  bricks'  constant  pelting,  no  men  with 
out  armour  could  hold  such  a  position  long. 

Avil  had  turned  to  the  king.  The  haughty  pon 
tiff  fell  on  his  knees,  his  face  ashen  with  terror. 

"  Protection,  lord !  Save  me  !  Save !  They  will 
pluck  me  in  pieces  !  "  And  he  caught  at  the  hem 
of  his  master's  robe.  But  if  any  had  reckoned  on 
Belshazzar's  quailing  at  that  dread  moment,  they  did 
not  know  the  lion  spirit  within  the  king,  that  made 


"They  did  not  know  the  lion  spirit  within  the  king,  that  made  him  as 
steeled  against  fear  as  against  mercy." 


BEL  TOTTEKS  273 

him  as  steeled  against  fear  as  against  mercy.  Atossa 
had  never  seen  him  more  kingly,  more  truly  the  in 
carnation  of  his  arrogant,  indomitable  race,  than 
now,  when  he  leaped  upon  the  parapet  of  the  terrace, 
and  faced  that  screeching,  raging  mob. 

Three  bricks  brushed  past  him  in  a  twinkling, 
a  fourth  smote  the  purple  and  white  tiara  from  his 
head,  but  he  would  have  heeded  snowflakes  more. 
And  at  sight  of  him,  the  king,  "lord  of  Sumer 
and  Akkad,  who  had  taken  the  hands  of  Bel," 
even  this  foaming  multitude  gave  back,  and  grew 
quiet.  The  king  spoke  to  them  as  to  crouching 
hounds. 

"  Back,  imps  !  Do  you  so  love  Allat  that  you 
seek  quick  voyaging  to  her?  Get  you  gone,  or  by 
the  Anunnaki,  the  dread  spirits,  I  swear  the  kites 
shall  eat  you  all  by  morning  !  " 

A  moment  of  hesitation  and  silence.  "  And  you, 
spawn  of  Nabu,"  thundered  the  king,  "  advance 
one  step  farther,  and  the  head  of  Imbi-Ilu,  your 
chief  demon,  is  flung  down  to  you  !  " 

Untimely  boast,  for  Hasba  instantly  howled 
back  :  "  Be  it  so,  and  we  of  Nabu  swear  that  Sirusur, 
the  general,  dies  when  Imbi-Ilu  dies.  Life  for  life, 
and  death  for  death  !  "  And  to  this  all  the  priests 
answered ;  "  It  is  so  !  We  hold  Sirusur  hostage 
for  Imbi-Ilu  ! " 

The  king  gave  a  fearful  curse.  "  So  be  it ! "  cried 
he,  in  his  passion,  "  but  if  the  general  loses  an  hair, 
he  shall  be  terribly  avenged.  Execute  Imbi-Ilu 


274  BELSHAZZAR 

this  instant  !  "  He  had  leaped  down  from  the  para 
pet.  The  bricks  were  flying  again.  He  repeated 
his  command  to  Igas-Ramman,  the  captain  now 
heading  the  troops,  but  Igas  had  salaamed  before 
his  lord,  saying  :  — 

"  Live  forever,  my  king  !  Your  slaves,  the  guards, 
will  die  for  you  ;  but  they  will  throw  their  swords 
away  rather  than  see  Sirusur,  their  leader,  sacrificed. 
We  dare  not  touch  the  high  priest  of  Borsippa." 

"  Have  you,  too,  the  hearts  of  conies  ?  "  warned 
Belshazzar.  And  they  saw  his  hand  go  to  his 
sword,  as  if  to  smite  Imbi  with  his  own  arm.  But 
the  instant  he  had  sprung  from  the  parapet  the 
attack  had  been  renewed.  The  troops,  cowed  and 
ill-led,  broke  under  the  pressure,  and  the  volleys 
gave  way  ;  and  in  a  twinkling  the  rioters  were  on 
the  first  terrace.  It  was  a  moment  of  uttermost 
danger  for  king  and  courtiers.  The  mob  swept 
up  upon  the  platform  in  a  single  human  wave. 
"  Back,  my  lord  !  back  !  "  exhorted  Igas-Ramman, 
thrusting  himself  with  a  handful  of  men  betwixt 
the  rioters  and  Belshazzar;  but  the  king  brushed 
him  aside. 

"  Where  is  Isaiah  ?  "  shouted  the  monarch,  cast 
ing  about  one  glance.  "  Though  I  perish,  let  not  him 
escape  ! " 

But  while  the  words  quitted  his  lips,  a  young  man 
in  the  foremost  of  the  assailants,  had  bounded  past 
the  demoralized  soldiers,  and  in  an  instant  loosed 
the  Hebrew's  bands. 


BEL   TOTTEKS  275 

"  Shaphat !  Shaphat  the  accuser  of  Daniel !  " 
howled  many  voices  together  ;  but  rescuer  and  res 
cued  were  already  swallowed  in  the  sea  of  writhing, 
fighting  forms.  A  moment  later,  the  victorious 
priests  of  Nabu  had  plucked  their  leader  out  of  the 
hands  of  the  panic-struck  guardsmen,  and  Imbi-Ilu 
once  more  headed  his  cheering  followers. 

"  Away  with  Avil-Marduk ! "  rang  the  shout,  never 
louder.  "  Fling  him  over  the  ziggurat !  " 

The  pontiff  barely  saved  himself  by  most  head 
long  flight  up  the  next  stairway  to  the  second  stage 
of  the  tower.  After  him  fled  Mermaza,  and  many 
a  dignitary  followed  them.  But  there  was  one  who 
did  not  fly,  and  that  was  the  king.  Marduk,  guar 
dian  of  his  house,  cast  his  shield  indeed  before  him, 
and  saved  him,  for  he  was  foremost  in  the  press  of 
death  ;  and  more  than  one  stout  priest  of  Nabu  and 
riotous  burgher  howled  no  more  after  the  royal 
sword  smote  them. 

Atossa  had  watched  the  first  moments  of  the 
battle  with  keen  delight.  The  hated  Avil  and  the 
scarce  less  hated  king  were  the  assailed  ;  their  enemies 
were  her  friends.  But  now  that  the  strife  was  all 
about  her,  she  was  whirled  from  her  place  by  a 
sudden  rush  of  the  rioters  ;  an  instant  more  and 
she  was  in  rough  hands,  the  veil  rudely  torn  from 
her  face,  with  ten  brutal  voices  crying  in  her 
ear  :  — 

"  Praise  Istar  !  A  prize  !  A  prize  !  Off  with 
her  ! " 


276  BELSHAZZAK 

They  should  have  guessed  from  her  dress  who  she 
might  be  ;  and  she  declared  herself  haughtily,  but 
her  voice  was  drowned  in  the  babel.  Atossa  was 
feeling  herself  hurried  down  the  stairway  to  the 
temple  enclosure,  the  whole  rude  scene  enacted  so 
swiftly  that  she  scarce  knew  what  had  befallen, 
when  suddenly  a  strong  arm  was  thrusting  aside 
her  excited  captors. 

"Fools  !  "  a  loud  voice  was  crying,  "are  you  bat- 
blind?  Release  !  she  is  no  spoil  for  you.  Wrong 
her,  and  you  bring  Cyrus  down  on  Babylon  !  " 

The  hands  upon  Atossa  relaxed,  as  her  captors 
stared  into  the  face  of  the  young  man  who  had 
awed  them  so  shortly  before  —  Isaiah  the  Jew. 

"  She  is  ours,"  commented  the  leader  of  the  band, 
little  liking  to  let  so  fair  a  bit  of  spoil  slip  through 
his  fingers.  "  Who  are  you,  Master  Hebrew,  to 
give  the  law  unto  us  ?  " 

He  flourished  a  cudgel  in  air,  when  a  second 
cudgel,  wielded  by  the  same  young  man  who  had 
released  Isaiah,  smote  the  weapon  out  of  his  hand, 
and  left  him  disarmed  and  cowed.  The  brutish 
weavers  who  had  taken  Atossa  blinked  at  one  another 
in  confusion. 

"  This  way,  lady,"  commanded  the  Hebrew,  taking 
Atossa  by  the  hand,  "and  those  who  lay  finger  on 
you  shall  pay  right  dear." 

The  weavers  stared  at  him,  but  Shaphat's  cudgel 
was  waving  very  close  to  their  heads.  One  fellow, 
bolder  than  the  rest,  stretched  forth  a  hand  to  seize 


BEL  TOTTEES  277 

the  Persian  again,  but  he  only  earned  from  Isaiah  a 
buffet  behind  the  ear  that  laid  him  prone  on  the 
pavement. 

"  Be  warned,"  exhorted  the  Hebrew.  "  I  am  your 
friend,  and  the  king's  enemy  ;  but  as  Jehovah  my 
God  liveth,  you  shall  not  do  violence  to  this 
woman  !  " 

"  We  meant  no  harm,"  protested  the  leader  of  the 
band,  cowed  and  sullen. 

"  Good,  then ;  she  is  safe  in  my  hands.  Go  again 
to  the  struggle,  for  by  the  Lord  of  Hosts,  Belshazzar 
is  far  from  mastered." 

They  were  gone,  rushed  back  to  the  conflict  now 
raging  at  the  foot  of  the  stairs  to  the  second  temple 
stage,  whither  the  king  had  retreated  with  the  sol 
diers.  Isaiah  caught  a  dusty  robe  from  the  bricks, 
where  it  had  lain  since  being  rent  from  its  owner's 
back,  and  threw  it  over  Atossa. 

"  Cover  your  gay  dress  and  your  face,  my  lady," 
commanded  he,  "  so  none  will  recognize,  and  I  will 
conduct  you  back  to  the  palace.  This  is  truly 
proving  a  day  of  deeds  fierce  and  terrible." 

Many  rioters  stared  at  them,  but  as  soon  as  they 
recognized  the  prophet,  they  made  way  rapidly, 
and  Isaiah  led  on  unhindered,  Shaphat  following 
silently  after,  and  guarding  their  rear. 

Thanks  to  this  half -reverence,  half-dread,  the  two 
were  soon  clear  of  the  tumult  within  the  temple 
enclosure  and  were  threading  the  city  streets. 
Here  everything  was  nigh  quiet  as  the  grave.  Sober 


278  BELSHAZZAR 

burghers  and  shopkeepers  had  long  since  barricaded 
their  houses  and  closed  their  booths,  lest  the  mal 
contents  turn  speedily  from  sedition  to  pillage. 
Once  Isaiah  led  into  an  alley  while  a  chariot  corps 
from  the  Northern  Citadel  thundered  past  at  head 
long  speed,  bearing  belated  succour  to  the  hard- 
pressed  king. 

Isaiah  guided  the  princess  westward,  past  the 
temple  of  Nana,  and  down  the  great  street  until 
they  reached  the  river,  the  bridge  of  boats ;  and  that 
once  crossed,  Atossa  saw  before  them  the  stately 
gates  of  the  palace,  within  which  was  her  safety. 

"Declare  yourself  fearlessly  to  the  sentries,  my 
lady,"  said  the  young  prophet,  "  and  your  danger  is 
at  an  end." 

"And  you?"  said  she,  while  he  turned  to  leave 
her;  "where  is  your  safety?  What  may  I  do  in 
reward  for  this  peril  run  for  me  ?  " 

The  Hebrew  smiled  gently.  "  I  shall  be  scantily 
welcome  in  the  king's  house,  I  fear.  And  in  serving 
you  I  have  but  repaid  in  part  the  debt  I  owe  Prince 
Darius." 

"  Yet  you  must  not  go  without  one  token.  What 
may  I  give?" 

"  Some  talisman,  then,  that  shall  be  known  to  all 
Persians  to  vouch  for  my  truth,  if  I  say  I  bring  word 
from  Babylon  of  you  and  of  Darius." 

Atossa  tore  a  gold  locket  from  her  neck.  "  Take 
this,  then,"  and  she  held  it  out ;  "  it  was  given  me  by 
my  father  on  my  last  birthday.  It  is  marked  with 


BEL   TOTTEES  279 

the  winged  likeness  of  Ahura  the  Great.  Cyrus  and 
all  his  lords  will  recognize." 

Isaiah  and  Shaphat  were  salaaming  again  to  make 
farewell,  but  Atossa  had  one  more  appeal. 

"  Ah !  brave  Jew,"  spoke  she,  "  if  the  one  God 
leads  you  —  and  He  must  —  to  let  you  do  the  deed 
you  have  done  this  day,  do  not  forget  my  wretched 
ness,  or  the  peril  of  Darius.  Do  you  verily  purpose 
to  stand  before  Cyrus  my  father?  " 

"  As  speedily  as  the  Lord  God  shows  me  the  way," 
assented  Isaiah. 

"  Oh !  "  she  cried  impulsively,  "  am  I  not  for  the 
instant  free?  Can  I  not  trust  you  in  all  things? 
Why  may  I  not  flee  with  you  to  the  city  of  my 
father,  and  see  this  wicked  Babylon  no  more  ?  " 

The  young  Jew  smiled.  "Spoken  like  a  king's 
own  child,  in  very  truth !  But  such  things  cannot 
be.  You  cannot  go  where  I  may  go,  or  endure  what 
is  as  naught  to  me ;  that  were  not  trusting,  but 
rather  tempting,  God." 

"But  you  will  tell  all  to  Cyrus,  —  of  myself,  of 
Darius,  of  Belshazzar  and  his  guile.  You  swear 
that  you  will  conceal  nothing,  that  my  father  may 
dash  from  power  this  evil  king  of  the  Chaldees." 

There  was'  a  strange  light  on  Isaiah's  face  when 
he  answered:  "Fear  not,  lady,  Cyrus  shall  hear. 
And  think  not  that  the  one  God  will  forget  the 
wickedness  of  these  servants  of  stone  and  brass ;  for 
I  say  to  you,  He  shall  turn  all  their  guile  against 
themselves,  and  shall  humble  them  utterly." 


280  BELSHAZZAR 

"  Alas !  brave  Jew,"  Atossa  cried,  at  parting, 
"would  to  Ahura  your  faith  were  mine.  My  own 
faith  in  Him  grows  weak,  but  my  faith  in  you,  who 
can  dare  so  much,  is  very  strong." 

"  Put  no  trust  in  me,"  Isaiah  replied,  kissing  her 
mantle ;  "  but  trust  much  in  the  Spirit  that  moves  in 
me,  and  in  every  soul  whose  love  is  light  and  truth." 

How  Belshazzar  made  good  the  tower  of  Bel- 
Marduk  that  day  against  half  of  Babylon,  how 
soldiers  came  at  last  from  the  garrison  cantonments 
to  the  aid  of  the  hard-pressed  royal  guard,  how  the 
king  slew  his  tens  and  surpassed  all  his  captains  in 
valour  —  of  this  there  is  no  place  to  tell.  Save  for 
Belshazzar  himself,  the  priests  of  Nabu  and  the 
rioters  would  have  stormed  the  ziggurat  to  its  top 
most  stage,  and  flung  monarch  and  chief  pontiff 
upon  the  pavement  below.  But  Nergal,  or  some 
other  divinity  of  the  bold,  watched  over  the  king, 
and  saved  him  from  mortal  wound.  The  malcon 
tents  gained  the  second  stage  of  the  tower  after 
a  bitter  struggle,  so  that  the  steps  of  the  ziggurat 
flowed  with  blood.  But  here  their  progress  was 
stopped.  Companies  of  soldiers,  arriving  outside  the 
temple  enclosure,  threatened  to  cut  off  the  retreat  of 
those  rioters  who  had  entered,  and  the  troops  within 
turned  at  bay,  and  held  their  own  at  last.  Then, 
finally,  the  tide  seemed  to  have  turned.  The  valour 
commenced  to  ooze  out  of  the  undisciplined  priests 
and  burghers.  Only  one  thing  prevented  Belshazzar 


BEL  TOTTEES  281 

from  making  good  all  his  threats,  and  causing  the 
brethren  of  Nabu  to  curse  the  day  they  had  lifted 
their  heads  against  his  power  and  the  supremacy  of 
Bel-Marduk.  Sirusur,  the  general,  was  still  captive 
in  the  malcontents'  hands.  Let  them  be  pressed  too 
hard,  and  his  life  was  not  worth  a  shekel.  The  king 
raged  at  his  captains,  but  they  were  obdurate. 

"  Rather  than  sacrifice  Sirusur,"  declared  Bilsandan, 
the  vizier,  bluntly,  when  his  lord  gave  orders  for  a 
final  charge,  "the  soldiers  will  declare  for  Imbi-Ilu. 
The  rebels  are  desperate.  We  can  ill  afford  a  victory 
that  will  plunge  half  Babylon  in  mourning.  It  will 
sow  ill  feeling  to  blossom  into  twenty  new  revolts. 
We  dare  not  do  it,  your  Majesty." 

And  so  the  king  had  been  persuaded.  The  criers 
had  made  proclamation,  and  the  decree  had  been 
promptly  published,  that  his  Majesty,  out  of  the 
goodness  and  benevolence  of  his  heart  toward  his 
subjects,  would  proclaim  amnesty  to  all  who  had 
taken  part  in  the  day's  riot,  from  Imbi-Ilu  down 
ward.  As  for  Daniel,  the  king  gave  his  royal  word 
that  he  should  be  kept  in  honourable  custody,  and 
no  attempt  made  against  his  life.  This  concession 
ended  the  tumult.  The  rioters  dispersed.  The 
priests  of  Nabu  returned  —  as  many  as  were  yet 
alive  —  to  Borsippa.  They  were  not  completely 
satisfied,  for  Avil-Marduk  was  still  living  and  in 
power;  but  a  great  blow  had  been  struck  at  his 
prestige.  The  lower  temple  of  Bel  had  been 
thoroughly  sacked.  Avil  would  have  to  mortgage 


282  BELSHAZZAE, 

all  the  lands  of  his  god  to  make  good  the  damage, 
unless  the  king  was  generous  out  of  the  treasury. 
Daniel  had  been  saved  from  death.  Belshazzar  had 
been  taught  a  lesson,  likely  to  be  remembered,  that 
Bel  was  not  the  only  god  worth  conciliating.  So  on 
the  next  day  peace  reigned  in  Babylon. 

There  had  been  one  exception  to  the  amnesty, 
however.  Whatever  the  secret  thoughts  of  many, 
none  dared  openly  to  express  sympathy  for  the  mad 
Jewish  prophet.  Belshazzar  had  desired  to  make 
a  notable  example. 

The  next  night,  as  the  boatmen  warped  their 
barges  into  the  current  to  drop  down  the  river  to 
Erech,  they  heard  the  criers  upon  the  quays  shouting 
across  the  water :  — 

"Two  manehs  of  silver!  Two  manehs  from  the 
king  for  the  body  of  Isaiah  the  Jew,  alive  or  dead ! 
Two  manehs  for  Isaiah  the  Jew  !  " 

Yet,  though  the  silver  was  coveted  by  a  host,  the 
gods  strangely  suffered  their  blasphemer  to  remain 
at  large,  and  the  money  to  lie  safe  in  the  royal 
coffers. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 

THE  seventh  day  of  the  month,  sacred  to  the 
dread  goddess  Sapanitum,  and  by  every  calen 
dar  pronounced  an  unfortunate  day.  The  king  had 
been  forbidden  by  divine  law  to  eat  cooked  food, 
change  his  dress,  mount  his  chariot,  or  approach  an 
altar  for  sacrifice.  As  for  his  subjects,  they  dared 
not,  however  sick,  call  in  a  physician  or  conjurer  lest 
the  wrathful  goddess  turn  the  remedies  into  poison. 
Nor  had  they  ventured  to  breathe  a  curse  against 
the  bitterest  enemy,  lest  the  malediction  be  visited 
upon  their  own  heads.  It  was  a  day  of  gloom  and 
anxiety  in  all  Babylon. 

Graver  things  than  the  calendar  were  troubling 
Belshazzar  and  his  ministers.  Yet  Ehatin,  the 
headsman,  who  waited  beside  Neriglissor,  at  the 
door  of  the  king's  council-chamber,  while  their 
betters  deliberated  within,  seemed  in  an  unwontedly 
merry  mood  for  so  black  a  day. 

"  I  profess,  dear  priest,"  chuckled  he,  "  his 
Majesty's  humour  has  most  happily  changed  since 
the  riot.  He  orders  beheadings  by  the  score,  not 
of  whining  bandits,  but  of  stout  guardsmen  and  fat 

283 


284  BELSHAZZAR 

temple  folk  like  yourself.  By  Samas  !  I  shall  need 
an  assistant  to  aid  me." 

The  old  "anointer"  looked  at  him  out  of  the 
corners  of  his  eyes,  and  sidled  away,  fearful  of  too 
close  company. 

"  Yes,"  he  assented,  "  since  the  riot  the  king  cries 
4  kill ! '  every  time  a  fly  hums  past  his  ears.  The 
eunuchs  who  serve  him  every  morning  vow  a  goat 
to  Sin  if  they  are  kept  safely  through  the  day." 

Khatin  was  just  beginning  some  impious  remark 
to  the  effect  that  "  the  worthy  god  was  being  over 
fed  with  goats'  flesh,"  when  Igas-Ramman  the  cap 
tain  burst  in  upon  them  on  the  run,  and  flew  up 
to  the  sentry  guarding  the  council-chamber  door, 
almost  before  the  two  others  knew  his  presence. 

"  Hold,  friend ! "  shouted  Khatin,  a  ponderous 
hand  clapping  on  Igas's  shoulders ;  "  your  business  ? 
The  headsman  is  better  than  the  king.  Give  him 
the  news  first !  " 

"  Allat  wither  you  ! "  growled  Igas,  writhing  out 
of  his  clutch.  "  Do  not  stop  me  !  Such  tidings  for 
his  Majesty !  " 

"  Speak,  rascal !  "  Khatin  was  thundering,  when 
the  door  suddenly  opened,  and  Bilsandan,  the  vizier, 
admitted  the  messenger  instantly,  then  slammed  it 
in  the  others'  faces.  Those  without  stared  at  one 
another  for  many  minutes,  until  the  door  reopened 
suddenly  as  before,  and  Bilsandan  called  for  Khatin 
by  name. 

"Your  slave  waits  my  lord's  orders,"  began  the 


AVIL-MAKDUK  GIVES   COUNSEL         285 

executioner,  gleefully  expecting  the  vizier  was  going 
to  ask  for  a  head. 

"  Go  with  Igas  to  the  chambers  of  Darius  the  Per 
sian.  There  is  no  time  to  summon  a  regular  guard ; 
but  on  your  life  do  not  let  the  prince  escape  you. 
He  is  active  and  daring.  Watch  him  well." 

"Be  he  strong  as  Tiamat  the  dragon,"  laughed 
Khatin,  gruffly,  "he  shall  find  me  almighty  as  Bel." 
Then  he  strode  away  after  Igas,  wondering  vainly 
what  this  strange  summons  of  the  Persian  might  mean. 

Since  his  arrest  Darius  had  been  confined  in  easy 
captivity  in  the  tower  of  the  northeast  angle  of  the 
palace.  The  king's  eunuchs  had  supplied  every 
physical  want ;  but  he  had  been  separated  from  his 
suite,  and  allowed  no  communication  with  the  out 
side  world.  At  sight  of  the  royal  signet  borne  by 
Igas,  the  subaltern  commanding  the  squad  of  troops 
guarding  the  tower  promptly  led  forth  his  prisoner. 
Darius  appeared  little  the  worse  for  his  imprison 
ment.  He  bore  himself  haughtily,  and  was  silent 
when  Khatin  croaked  in  his  ear,  "  that,  in  his  opin 
ion,  the  king  was  about  to  have  the  envoy's  throat 
sundered."  In  fact,  the  Persian  carried  himself  so 
arrogantly,  and  showed  his  guards  such  supreme 
contempt,  that  they  in  turn  had  come  to  feel  some 
little  awe  of  a  man  who  dared  treat  them  thus ;  and 
they  were  glad  when  they  had  marched  their  captive 
into  the  council-chamber,  where  Khatin,  to  his  great 
delight,  was  bidden  to  remain  and  witness  the  scene 
to  follow. 


286  BELSHAZZAR 

Neither  the  room  nor  its  company  was  large. 
Belshazzar  occupied  an  ivory  chair  on  a  low  dais. 
At  his  right  hand  two  white-robed  scribes  were 
ready  with  clay  tablet  and  stylus  to  take  down  all 
that  passed.  On  other  stools  facing  the  dais  were 
seated  the  coterie  of  magnates  who  made  up  the 
privy  council  —  Avil-Marduk,  Bilsandan,  Mermaza, 
Sirusur  the  general,  and  a  few  colleagues.  Behind 
the  king  stood  the  inevitable  pair  of  eunuchs  with 
their  fly-flappers.  As  for  Darius,  he  had  been  placed 
directly  facing  the  king ;  and  to  the  surprise  of  all 
he  remained  standing  with  folded  arms,  without  any 
obeisance,  during  a  silence  that  soon  became  awk 
ward. 

Belshazzar  had  heavy  rings  beneath  his  eyes,  as  if 
he  had  drunk  overdeeply  the  night  before ;  and  when 
he  turned  to  motion  to  Bilsandan,  his  hand  was  seen 
to  tremble.  Seemingly,  he  was  deeply  moved.  Then, 
while  the  vizier  was  feeling  around  for  words,  Darius 
broke  forth  rudely  :  — 

"  Well,  your  Majesty,  this  bullock  here  "  —  with 
a  nod  toward  Khatin  —  "says  you  desire  my  head. 
By  Mithra !  I  wonder  that,  after  imprisoning  Cyrus's 
envoy,  you  hesitate  to  kill  him  also." 

Belshazzar,  by  an  effort,  ignored  the  taunt,  and 
with  uncommon  smoothness  answered :  "  Noble 
prince,  few  have  deplored  more  than  I  your  nomi 
nal  imprisonment.  I  have  summoned  you  here  to 
declare  that  you  are  shortly  to  be  set  free." 

Darius  looked  gravely  into  the  king's  eyes. 


AVIL-MAKDUK   GIVES   COUNSEL         287 

"  I  rejoice  to  hear  it,  my  lord,"  said  he,  sternly  ; 
"yet  more  would  I  rejoice  to  know  how  your 
Majesty  will  account  to  Cyrus  for  this  outrage 
upon  the  person  of  his  ambassador.  A  strange  story, 
surely,  to  send  to  Susa !  " 

"If  the  noble  prince,"  commenced  Avil  in  turn, 
speaking  gently,  as  if  treading  on  slippery  ground, 
"  will  deign  to  listen  to  his  slave  —  " 

"  Ugh !  "  grunted  the  Persian,  turning  his  back  on 
the  pontiff,  "  what  foul  dceva  told  you  how  I  was  to 
serve  the  king  of  the  Aryans  ?  " 

"Do  you  speak  for  us  all,"  Belshazzar  nervously 
commanded  Bilsandan. 

"May  it  please  the  preeminently  noble  son  of 
Hystaspes,"  began  the  vizier,  also  timidly,  "there 
has  just  come  to  Babylon  a  courier  saying  a  second 
embassy  from  Cyrus  is  close  to  Babylon,  and  has 
sent  so  unfriendly  a  letter  on  before  it,  that  we  are 
fain  to  ask  my  lord  to  explain  it  to  us." 

"  Ha  !  "  They  saw  the  prince's  lips  curl  in  half- 
suppressed  triumph  ;  but  he  demanded,  "  And  what 
proof,  wretched  oath-breakers,  have  you  to  lay  before 
me,  a  prisoner,  that  you  are  telling  me  one  morsel  of 
the  truth  ?  " 

Bilsandan  flushed,  but  tried  to  keep  his  temper. 

"  Believe  me,  my  prince,  we  have  nothing  to  gain 
by  concealing  anything.  We  had  expected  no  new 
embassy  from  Persia  so  quickly.  Now,  all  unwarned, 
comes  Igas  with  tidings  that  Gobryas,  the  general  of 
Cyrus,  is  within  a  hundred  furlongs  of  the  city. 


288  BELSHAZZAE, 

And  doubtless  if  he  is  not  persuaded  to  alter  his 
mood,  as  shown  in  his  letter,  we  fear  Cyrus,  your 
master  —  " 

"  Will  take  swiftest  vengeance  on  Belshazzar,  lord 
of  Babylon,  and  all  his  guileful  race  !  "  shouted  the 
Persian,  triumphing  at  last.  Then,  with  a  step 
straight  toward  the  king,  for  he  had  not  been  fet 
tered,  he  shook  a  knotted  fist  in  the  royal  face. 
"  Give  me  the  letter,  the  letter,"  he  commanded,  "  or, 
as  Ahura  reigns  on  high  —  " 

So  fierce  was  his  passion  that  for  the  moment  king 
and  council  quaked  before  him.  It  was  Belshazzar  him 
self  who  commanded,  "Bilsandan,  give  him  the  tablet." 
So  Darius  was  suffered  to  take  it,  and  read  :  — 

"  GobryaSj  servant  of  Cyrus,  king  of  Persia  and  of  the  Aryans,  to 

Belshazzar  sends  greeting : — 

"  Know,  O  king,  my  master  has  sent  me  to  inquire  into  the 
strange  tales  that  have  come  to  his  ears  touching  his  former 
envoys,  and  their  treatment.  Why  have  their  couriers  been 
halted  when  bound  for  Susa?  Why  does  Belshazzar  negotiate 
with  Pharaoh  Amasis,  Cyrus's  foe,  and  gather  soldiers  in  time 
of  peace  ?  Why  does  he  speak  *  peace  '  with  his  lips  and  in  his 
heart  weave  war  ?  I  have  come  to  demand  an  answer  of  you,  O 
Belshazzar ;  do  not  think  to  hinder  my  return.  For  if  in  twelve 
days  I  come  not  back  to  Susa  denying  the  tales  of  treachery, 
the  hosts  of  the  Aryans  are  in  arms.  Farewell." 

Darius  turned  again  to  Belshazzar.  His  smile  be 
came  yet  haughtier.  "  Your  Majesty,"  declared  he, 
"  the  meaning  of  this  letter  is  plain  as  the  moon  on 
a  cloudless  night.  Cyrus  has  caught  scent  of  your 
plottings,  ere  their  completion.  Instead  of  Persia 
being  in  danger,  the  peril  confronts  Babylon.  Yet 


AVIL-MARDUK   GIVES   COUNSEL         289 

doubtless  the  worthy  Avil  is  ready  with  his  serpent's 
craft.  Look  to  him,  Belshazzar,  for  escape  from  a 
net  of  his  own  making  !  " 

But  the  king  in  turn  had  put  on  his  arrogancy, 
and  spoke  back  in  wrath  :  — 

"  Have  a  care,  bold  Persian.  You  are  utterly  in 
my  power.  I  did  not  send  for  you  to  have  you  revile 
me  to  my  face." 

The  prince  only  stood  more  proudly  than  before. 

"  Well  said,  my  king  ;  I  am  summoned  here  to  aid 
these  wise  Chaldeans  in  devising  an  escape  through 
the  blasting  of  their  own  plots.  I  am  to  yield  myself 
a  tool  to  Avil-Marduk  and  his  fellow-crows.  I  am  to 
excuse  my  own  letters  of  warning,  and  the  tidings 
borne  by  Ariathes,  who  it  is  plain  escaped  your  spies 
and  guards,  and  reached  Susa  safely.  I  am  to  pro 
fess  to  Gobryas  and  Cyrus,  '  I  was  mistaken.  The 
stories  are  false.  Trust  Belshazzar  in  all  things  ! ' " 

It  was  as  if  he  had  taken  the  words  out  of  the 
king's  own  mouth.  All  the  council  stared  at  him. 
"  And  if  not  ?  "  he  demanded,  suddenly  stopping. 

"  If  you  will  not,"  threatened  Belshazzar,  blackly, 
"  prepare  to  die.  We  know  a  Persian's  word  can  be 
trusted.  Once  give  your  pledge,  you  will  explain 
away  everything  —  " 

Darius  almost  shouted  his  reply  :  — 

"  And  I  know  that  it  would  be  better  to  groan  in 
4  The  Land  of  the  North ' l  for  years  uncounted,  than 

1The  Persian  "hell,1'  conceived  of  as  in  the  extreme  north  ;  a 
land  of  pitiless  cold. 


290  BELSHAZZAE 

to  put  trust  in  your  word.  From  your  own  mouth  I 
know  how  your  oaths  are  sworn  only  to  be  broken, 
how  you  have  prated  4  friendship '  in  my  ear,  and  all 
the  while  plotted  death.  Therefore  take  my  life.  I 
do  not  fear  to  cross  the  Chinvat  Bridge,  and  stand 
before  the  throne  of  Ahura.  But  rest  assured, 
Cyrus  will  wreak  full  vengeance  !  " 

When  Darius  ended  there  was  silence  in  the  coun 
cil,  for  every  man  knew  they  had  laid  hands  on  a 
monster,  equally  dangerous  to  release  or  to  retain. 

"  And  what,  then,  would  my  lord  have  us  do  to 
preserve  the  peace  ?  "  faltered  at  length  Sirusur  the 
commander. 

"  Let  your  king  send  an  embassy  in  sackcloth  to 
Susa  to  confess  his  fault  and  declare  his  penitence. 
Let  him  send  to  Cyrus  the  head  of  Avil-Marduk, 
chief  begetter  of  these  falsehoods.  Let  him  send  me 
back  safely  with  the  Princess  Atossa,  and  present  my 
king  with  a  great  treasure.  Finally,  let  him  throw 
down  two  furlongs  of  the  city  walls  of  Babylon,  to 
show  he  meditates  no  war.  Do  thus,  and  you  pre 
serve  the  peace  ;  and  thus  only." 

Belshazzar  had  risen  on  his  throne. 

"  Let  us  have  an  end  to  this,"  cried  he,  darkly.  "  I 
see  the  prince's  wits  have  been  blasted,  or  else  he  has 
fallen  in  love  with  death.  I  have  spared  his  life,  be 
cause  he  saved  me  from  the  auroch  ;  but  my  for 
bearance  is  near  its  end.  Yet  he  shall  have  chance 
to  reflect  on  his  madness.  Hale  him  away,  clap  him 
in  the  lower  dungeon,  beside  that  of  Daniel,  double- 


AVIL-MAKDUK  GIVES   COUNSEL         291 

fetter,  and  let  him  prepare  to  die  ! "  Darius  neither 
salaamed  nor  gave  other  sign  when  his  guards 
stepped  beside  him  to  lead  him  away.  Having  de 
livered  himself  to  the  council,  he  became  silent  as  a 
stone  idol. 

When  the  prisoner  and  his  escort  were  gone,  there 
was  yet  again  stillness  in  the  council.  When  pres 
ently  the  storm  broke  out,  it  was  upon  Avil. 

"  Cursed  are  we,  priest,"  growled  Bilsandan  in  his 
beard,  "  for  listening  to  your  counsels.  It  is  you  who 
poured  the  oil  on  this  fire.  It  is  you  that  advised 
the  sham  treaty,  then  browbeat  the  king  into  arrest 
ing  the  envoy.  Whither  are  we  come,  indeed  ? 
The  Pharaoh  still  holds  back.  Cyrus  knows  all, 
and  it  will  take  more  than  smooth  words  to  stop  the 
charge  of  his  lancers  !  " 

"  We  have  the  prince  as  hostage,"  retorted  Avil, 
trying  to  retain  his  composure. 

"  Pliable  hostage,  indeed  !  "  snarled  the  vizier  ; 
"  catch  the  lion  cub,  as  hostage  for  the  friendliness 
of  the  lioness.  We  may  cut  off  the  prince's  head, 
but  such  a  deed  is  little  suited  to  make  Cyrus  more 
friendly.  You  temple  folk,  Avil,  will  be  the  first  to 
whimper  when  your  crafty  deeds  return  one  and  all 
to  nest  on  your  own  heads.  I  love  wisdom,  but  not 
the  wisdom  that  is  like  to  ruin  all  4  Sumer  and 
Akkad.' " 

Avil  kept  his  temper  by  a  manifest  effort.  It  had 
not  escaped  him  that  Belshazzar  was  staring  at  him 
very  fixedly,  a  most  ominous  sign  of  royal  displeasure. 


292  BELSHAZZAR 

"  Noble  Sirusur,"  spoke  the  priest,  turning  to  the 
general,  "  surely  you  and  all  the  king's  sword-hands 
have  not  waxed  so  unvalorous  that  you  dread  the  war. 
Has  his  Majesty  only  harem  girls  for  an  army  ?  " 

"  The  sword-hands  of  the  Chaldees,"  retorted  Si- 
rusur,  testily,  "  are  able  to  fight  for  their  king,  and,  if 
needs  be,  die  ;  but  I  say  only  truth  when  I  tell  you, 
the  host  is  in  no  condition  to  meet  the  Persians  in 
pitched  battle.  Madness  to  risk  it." 

"  I  congratulate  our  lord,"  flashed  back  Avil,  "  on 
the  heroic  spirit  of  his  gallant  Tartan." 

"Aye !  "  shouted  the  "  Master  of  the  Host,"  "the 
taunt  comes  right  well  from  such  as  you,  —  you  who 
have  lit  the  blaze,  and  fain  would  see  others  quench 
it  now.  I  know  your  prowess.  While  I  was  risking 
my  life  in  that  mob,  all  say  the  valiant  high  priest  was 
cowering  like  a  cornered  hare." 

But  it  was  the  king  who  terrified  the  pontiff  most ; 
for,  though  Belshazzar  spoke  not,  Avil-Marduk  saw 
his  eye  fixed  on  him,  full  of  that  cold  menace  which, 
he  knew  well,  had  often  preceded  a  curt  command  to 
Khatin. 

"You  may  speak,  Avil,"  remarked  Belshazzar  at 
length,  his  tones  icy  as  a  blast  of  the  north. 

But  the  courage  of  Avil-Marduk,  if  not  that  which 
might  carry  unblenching  through  the  ragings  of  a 
hostile  multitude,  was  yet  courage  after  its  kind. 
He  had  turned  pale  in  the  face  of  the  furious  rioters, 
but  he  was  steadfast  before  the  hostile  council  and 
angered  king. 


AVIL-MAKDUK   GIVES   COUNSEL         293 

He  rose  and  addressed  Belshazzar  almost  as 
haughtily  as  had  the  Persian. 

"  Do  you  well,  my  Lords  Bilsandan  and  Sirusur, 
to  revile  me?"  retorted  he,  hotly.  "Am  I  not  a 
man  of  peace?  Is  it  my  business  to  see  that  the 
royal  guard  does  not  fly  like  sparrows  at  the  yells 
of  an  unarmed  rabble?  As  for  this  coming  of  the 
second  embassy,  who  save  Anu  and  Ea  could  know 
that  a  letter  of  Darius  could  pass  through  our 
watchers  —  so  many  were  they  —  even  had  some 
foul  demon  whispered  the  truth  in  the  Persian's  ear  ? 
I  am  not  a  god,  your  Majesty  ;  but  what  human  wit 
has  done,  I  have  done  also." 

"  But  human  wit,"  quoth  Belshazzar,  grimly,  "  has 
not  sufficed  to  avert  an  issue  with  Cyrus.  What  are 
we  to  do  now,  my  dear  pontiff  ?  " 

When  the  king  became  affectionate,  men  said  he 
was  not  far  from  ordering  an  execution.  Avil  knew 
his  danger,  but  he  only  let  his  voice  rise  higher. 

"  O  King  Belshazzar,"  cried  he,  "  Bel-Marduk, 
the  sovereign  and  guardian  god  of  Babylon,  even  he 
and  none  other  it  is  that  has  set  you  upon  your  throne 
of  Sumer  and  Akkad.  Did  he  not  clothe  you  with 
power  that  he  might  bring  all  nations  in  subjection 
unto  you?  That  the  gods  of  the  Persians  and  of 
the  Medes  should  be  brought  low  before  the  power 
of  his  servants  ?  Is  Cyrus  the  first  king  who  has 
raised  his  head  against  Babylon  ?  Where  is  Sin- 
shar-ishkun  the  Assyrian  ?  or  Zedekiah  the  Jew  ?  or 
Necho  the  Egyptian  ?  Gone,  all  of  them.  Their 


294  BELSHAZZAR 

gods  have  brought  them  no  help,  but  Bel  has  fought 
for  his  servants.  And  will  you  now,  King  of  Baby 
lon,  distrust  the  god  that  has  protected  you  so  long  ? 
Will  you  cringe  to  this  Ahura  of  the  Persians,  that 
we  may  be  taunted  before  every  nation,  'Bel  of 
Babylon  is  subject  to  the  god  of  Cyrus  the  barba 
rian  '  ?  The  gods  one  and  all  forbid  that  Belshazzar 
should  do  this  thing !  Let  him  be  strong.  The 
guardians  of  Babylon  shall  yet  show  how  much 
mightier  they  are  than  the  weakling  spirits  of  the 
Persians,  before  whom  also  the  spiritless  Jews  shall 
whine  in  vain." 

The  priest  paused  a  moment.  The  swift  rush  of 
his  speech  had  borne  away  all  the  hesitancy  that  had 
risen  in  the  heart  of  his  lord.  Avil  knew  he  had 
saved  himself  and  had  triumphed.  He  went  on 
boldly  :  — 

"Trust  the  strong  walls  of  Babylon,  my  king. 
They  can  mock  all  Cyrus's  thousands.  There  is 
yet  time  to  assemble  a  great  host.  The  warriors  of 
Chaldea  have  not  all  waxed  cowards.  Meet  the 
Persian  fairly  in  the  field,  and  if  fortune  there  fail, 
Imgur-Bel  and  Nimitti-Bel  will  not  fail.  There  is  pro 
vision  inside  the  walls  for  a  siege  years  long.  Before 
many  months  the  Aryan  hosts  will  be  dissolved  for 
lack  of  forage.  Revolt  will  kindle  in  Cyrus's  prov 
inces.  The  Pharaoh  will  take  arms.  Be  bold  and 
the  gods  will  bless  you.  I  speak  not  of  myself,  for 
is  the  king  of  Babylon  a  dog  that  he  should  submit 
to  the  commands  of  Cyrus  or  his  envoys  ?  Take  my 


AVIL-MAKDUK   GIVES   COUNSEL         295 

life,  if  so  your  Majesty  will,  but  bow  the  knee  to  the 
Persian  ?  —  never  !  " 

The  king's  eyes  were  flashing.  He  had  risen  again 
on  his  throne. 

"  And  the  high  priest  counsels  well ! "  cried  Bel- 
shazzar,  doubting  no  more.  "  We  will  put  the 
might  of  Bel-Marduk  to  the  test  !  Bel-Marduk 
against  the  puny  god  of  the  Persians  and  the  Jews  ! 
Bel-Marduk,  who  rules  forever,  against  the  god  who 
might  not  save  Jerusalem  to  his  servants,  who  shall 
not  now  save  them  Susa.  In  Darius  we  have  a  host 
age  that  will  make  Cyrus  hesitate  long  before  tak 
ing  the  field  against  us.  Away  with  all  fears,  my 
lords.  I,  the  king,  have  spoken,  and  my  word  is 
'war'!" 

That  same  day  there  went  a  letter  to  Gobryas,  the 
new  Persian  envoy,  who  had  just  arrived  outside  the 
city,  bidding  him  return  to  his  land  with  all  speed. 
"  Belshazzar,"  wrote  the  Babylonian  ministers  haugh 
tily,  "  would  not  receive  any  embassy  sent  on  so  un 
friendly  an  errand  as  this.  The  king  would  make 
due  explanation  to  Cyrus  for  the  detention  of  Darius; 
but  if  Cyrus  would  not  accept  it,  let  him  be  warned 
that  the  first  hostile  move  on  his  part  would  be  fol 
lowed  by  the  execution  of  the  son  of  Hystaspes. 
And  in  the  war  that  might  ensue  Belshazzar  shunned 
no  issue." 

That  night  also  an  order  went  forth  for  the  arrest 
of  Imbi-Ilu,  chief  priest  of  Nabu,  on  the  ground  that 


296  BELSHAZZAR 

he  had  violated  the  terms  of  the  amnesty,  and  was 
conspiring  against  the  king  ;  but  the  next  morning 
found  all  Babylon  astir  with  the  news  that  the 
threatened  pontiff  had  already  escaped  to  the  Per 
sian  envoy  outside  the  walls.  Gobryas  had  taken 
no  risks  of  detention.  The  instant  the  letter  of 
Belshazzar  reached  him  he  had  started  straight 
homeward,  outstripping  any  chance  of  pursuit. 

A  second  fugitive  likewise  fled  with  Gobryas.  In 
the  second  Persian  embassy  Isaiah  had  beheld  the 
opportunity  divinely  promised  through  Daniel ;  he 
should  stand  face  to  face  with  Cyrus  the  Aryan,  and 
deliver  the  message  of  Jehovah.  There  was  no 
longer  any  refuge  at  Borsippa  for  Ruth,  but  he 
counted  her  safe  at  the  humble  house  of  Dagan- 
Milki.  Shaphat  would  be  her  guardian,  and  if  needs 
be  die,  to  save  her  from  the  hand  of  Belshazzar. 
Very  beautiful  and  strong  had  been  the  smile  on  the 
Jewess's  face  when  she  kissed  Isaiah  farewell. 

"  Go,  beloved,  go,"  were  the  last  words  the  young 
prophet  carried  on  his  journey  ;  "  who  am  I  to  give 
you  care,  when  God  has  called  you  to  His  service  ?  " 

"  Ah  !  "  thought  Isaiah,  many  times  while  on  the 
way,  "  if  the  prayers  of  the  pure  and  good  avail  any 
thing  with  the  great  Lord  God,  I  have  already  per 
suaded  the  king  of  the  Aryans." 


,CYRUS,  FATHER  OF  THE  PEOPLE 


CHAPTER  XIX 

A  NOTHER  king,  another  council,  another  pal- 
/V  ace.  The  twilight  was  creeping  over  Susa, 
the  city  of  Cyrus,  over  the  blue  Choaspes  winding 
southward,  over  the  rambling  town,  with  its  shops 
and  bazaars,  which  stretched  away  to  eastward,  and 
over  the  great  mound  betwixt  river  and  city.  High 
above  dwelling  and  street  loomed  the  ramparts  of 
the  palace  fortress  of  the  king.  Complacent  Baby 
lonian  envoys  might  sneer  under  breath  at  the  bar 
barism  of  the  decorations,  but  under  the  failing  light 
the  palace  wore  a  glory  all  its  own,  the  like  of  which 
was  nowhere  else  save  at  its  prototype  in  Ecbatana, 
city  of  the  Medes.  The  citadel  was  natural,  but 
strengthened  by  human  art.  Twenty  furlongs  and 
more  was  its  circuit ;  its  sheer  height  rose  for  fifty 
cubits.  On  its  summit  spread  the  Aryan  palace. 
Original  in  nothing  save  truth-speaking,  the  Persian 
had  been  a  borrower  from  many  lands.  A  stranger 
would  have  declared  the  house  of  Cyrus  like  that  of 
Belshazzar,  yet  in  manner  unlike  it.  Endless  colon 
nades  ;  huge  courts,  unroofed  save  for  the  Tyrian 
purple  tapestries  on  great  feast  days  ;  giant- winged 

297 


298  BELSHAZZAK, 

bulls;  walls  brilliant  with  innumerable  processions 
of  huntsmen  and  spearmen,  wrought  in  blue  and 
green  enamel, — all  these  from  Babylon.  But  Greek 
chisels  had  given  delicacy  and  grace  to  the  sculp 
tures;  the  conceit  of  India  had  set  the  four  heads 
of  griffins  on  the  corners  of  each  stately  capital  ; 
Median  ostentation  had  plated  the  ceilings  of  many 
of  the  chambers,  as  well  as  the  cornice  and  parapet 
without,  with  the  pale  lustre  of  silver,  or  even  with 
garish  gold. 

He  who  entered  would  have  lost  himself  in  court 
after  court,  hall  after  hall,  each  a-swarm  with  its 
hordes  of  guardsmen,  eunuchs,  and  courtiers.  His 
feet  would  have  trodden  priceless  Bactrian  carpets ; 
over  his  head  would  have  twinkled  a  thousand  silver 
lamps  and  red  resinous  torches.  Yet  had  he  kept 
onward,  he  would  have  at  last  come  to  a  door 
guarded  by  a  score  of  watchful  "  eyes  of  the  king," 
and  then,  if  some  talisman  suffered  him  to  pass  them, 
have  stood  face  to  face  with  the  lord  of  the  Aryans. 

The  king  was  taking  counsel  with  his  peers.  The 
Tartar  on  the  dullest  steppe,  the  Brahmin  by  the 
hoary  Indus,  might  quake  at  the  name  of  Cyrus,  son 
of  Cambyses  ;  but  the  six  princes  of  the  tribes  of 
Persia  and  of  Media  were  suffered  at  all  times  to 
speak  their  word  to  the  monarch,  and  he  must  hear 
them. 

There  was  no  throne  in  this  chamber.  The  king 
sat  in  a  ponderous  arm-chair,  at  the  head  of  a  long 
table,  his  fellow-councillors  ranged  on  lower  seats 


CYEUS,  FATHER  OF  THE  PEOPLE   299 

at  either  side.  They  had  long  since  cast  off  cere 
mony.  Cyrus's  cone-shaped  tiara  was  taller  than 
that  of  the  others,  the  embroideries  on  his  flowing 
Median  robe  richer ;  these  alone  distinguished  him. 
There  was  no  scribe  present,  nor  other  attendant. 
After  a  long  silence  the  king  was  again  speaking. 

"My  friends,"  Cyrus  smote  a  fist  on  the  table 
with  a  buffet  weighty  enough  to  fell  an  ox,  "you 
seem  to  have  suffered  Apaosha  the  'Drought-fiend' 
to  dry  up  all  your  thoughts.  I  called  you  for  coun 
sel  ;  I  meet  silence  and  black  frowns.  Have  you 
nothing  to  say  ?  "  The  king  looked  from  face  to 
face ;  his  own  was  troubled.  There  was  care  spread 
upon  his  high,  bronzed  forehead,  care  was  in  the 
lines  of  his  mouth  under  the  flowing  gray  beard, 
care  was  dimming  the  genial  lustre  of  his  keen  blue 
eyes. 

A  man  at  the  king's  right  hand  made  answer,  and 
all  heard  respectfully,  for  he  was  bowed  with  age 
and  its  wisdom. 

"  Live  forever,  King  of  the  Aryans !  Do  not 
blame  us  if  Ahura  denies  us  the  presence  of 
Vohu-Mano,  angel  of  good  counsel.  What  is  left 
to  say  ?  Yet  let  the  king  know  this  —  determine 
the  fate  of  Darius,  my  son,  without  thought  for  my 
own  private  loss  or  grief.  The  honour  of  Persia  and 
of  Persia's  king  is  more  than  the  safety  of  forty  sons 
of  mine." 

But  Cyrus  shook  his  head,  replying  sombrely  : 
"  You  are  a  true  friend,  Hystaspes  ;  but  understand 


300  BELSHAZZAR, 

that  the  honour  of  Persia  and  of  Cyrus  demands  to 
day  that  Darius  should  come  harmless  from  that 
snare  to  which  I,  in  folly,  sent  him.  The  blame  is 
mine.  Belshazzar  has  deceived  me.  Would  to 
Ahura  that  I  alone  might  bear  the  calamity,  and 
not  the  noblest  of  our  youth  !  " 

But  the  dark-eyed  Median  prince,  Harpagus,  who 
sat  at  the  king's  left  hand,  broke  forth  hotly :  "  Now 
as  Mithra  rains  light  from  the  heavens,  I  protest  the 
Babylonian  will  never  dare  to  make  a  hair  of  our 
prince  to  fall.  Belshazzar  and  his  pack  of  snivelling 
priests  and  paltering  corn-merchants  put  to  death  a 
prince  of  our  blood  royal  ?  The  Chaldeans  will  love 
well  to  see  our  Aryan  cavalrymen  eating  up  all  their 
dear  farmlands  like  locusts !  Belshazzar's  was  a 
coward's  threat.  He  will  make  it  good  —  never  !  " 

"  Peace,"  commanded  the  king.  "  You  do  even 
that  dceva  wrong.  We  have  Gobryas's  letter  and 
cannot  doubt.  Belshazzar  has  a  city  nigh  impregna 
ble.  His  army,  if  not  so  large  as  our  Aryan  hordes, 
is  well  drilled,  valorous.  His  capital  is  provisioned 
for  a  siege  of  years.  Only  a  man  who  had  resolved 
to  follow  his  path  to  the  end  would  dare  to  utter  this 
threat." 

"True,"  Hystaspes  looked  down,  grievously  tor 
mented  ;  "  yet  for  the  honour  of  our  people  and 
our  god,  there  is  but  one  answer  to  make  to  this 
defiance." 

Cyrus  was  standing  erect  and  confronting  his 
council. 


CYKUS,   FATHER   OF   THE   PEOPLE       301 

"  Do  you,  princes  of  Persia  and  Media,  bid  me  to 
sacrifice  Darius,  son  of  Hystaspes,  proclaim  instant 
war,  and  send  our  forces  over  the  Tigris  to  strike 
Belshazzar  !  An  answer,"  —  the  king's  voice  grew 
hard,  —  "  peace  or  war  ?  " 

Stillness  for  a  moment,  and  then  Harpagus  was 
thundering  :  — 

"  War,  in  the  name  of  every  archangel !  Tell  Bel 
shazzar  that  if  Darius  dies  we  will  beat  down  Baby 
lon  till  she  be  a  city  for  wolves  and  jackals." 

"  And  you,  Hystaspes  ?  "  demanded  the  king. 

"  I  have  spoken,"  replied  the  old  prince,  wearily. 
"  Not  to  save  my  own  child  can  we  cringe  to  Bel 
shazzar,  that  4Son  of  the  Lie.'  There  is  no  other 
way." 

Cyrus  was  looking  wistfully  from  one  to  another. 

"  And  is  there  no  word  for  peace  ?  "  he  was  ask 
ing,  almost  eagerly.  "The  power  of  Babylon  is 
great.  If  we  fail,  the  empire  will  depart  from  us. 
On  such  a  war  we  stake  our  all." 

"And  our  all  truly  is  lost,"  Harpagus  replied, 
nigh  fiercely,  "  if  the  king  of  Persia  crouches  trem 
bling  under  a  threat  like  this  !  " 

"  Your  voices  then  are  all  for  war  ?  "  was  Cyrus's 
last  appeal. 

"  For  war,"  was  the  sullen  answer  of  many,  none 
looking  upward.  But  Cyrus  smote  again  upon  the 
table,  making  the  firm  oak  quiver. 

"But  I,  Cyrus,  son  of  Cambyses,  king  of  Persia 
and  all  Iran,  am  very  ill  content  with  your  counsel. 


302  BELSHAZZAR 

We  all  will  be  partners  in  Darius's  blood,  if  he  is  left 
to  die.  I,  the  king,  have  chief  blame  in  sending  him 
to  Babylon,  but  you  all  were  consenting.  Would  to 
Ahura  I  had  followed  my  own  heart,  and  given  him 
Atossa !  Of  her  fate  in  the  clutch  of  Belshazzar  I 
say  nothing."  It  was  the  first  time  he  had  men 
tioned  his  own  child  that  day.  The  princes  saw  a 
tear  on  the  iron  cheek  of  the  conqueror  of  Mede  and 
Lydian.  None  answered  him.  The  king  ran  on  : 
"  Our  debate  ends  as  it  began  —  in  darkness.  I  will 
not  act  on  your  advice  to-night.  Orasmasdes,  the 
chief  Magian,  shall  pour  libation  to  the  great  star 
Tishtrya1  and  all  the  other  heavenly  powers,  that 
they  may  incline  the  Lord  God  to  favour  with  his 
wisdom.  I  am  no  4  Father  of  the  People,'  if,  to  spare 
my  own  dignity,  I  suffer  the  bravest  and  choicest  of 
our  Aryan  youths  to  die  miserably." 

The  king  had  thrust  back  his  chair,  and  motioned 
to  the  others  to  rise  also.  They  were  obeying,  in 
moody  silence,  when  the  door  was  flung  open,  and 
Phraortes,  the  high  chamberlain,  was  kneeling  before 
Cyrus. 

44  Live  forever,  O  Bulwark  of  the  Nations  !  May 
your  slave  speak  ?  " 

The  monarch  good-humouredly  motioned  to  him  to 
say  on.  Phraortes  arose,  and  punctiliously  hid  his 
hands  in  his  flowing  sleeves  —  token  that  he  medi 
tated  no  attack  on  the  royal  person. 

"Your   Majesty,   the    General   Gobryas   sends   in 

1  Sirius. 


CYRUS,  FATHER  OF  THE  PEOPLE   303 

advance  a  young  man  who  demands  instant  speech 
with  my  lord." 

"  Does  he  come  from  Babylon  ?     Who  is  he  ?  " 

"  He  brings  a  letter  from  the  general,  that  he  is  in 
all  things  to  be  believed.  He  also  bears  a  token  from 
the  ever-to-be-reverenced  Lady  Atossa." 

"From  Atossa?"  They  saw  the  king's  grip  on 
the  arm  of  his  chair  grow  hard  as  a  vise.  "  Bring 
him  in  instantly." 

Cyrus  had  reseated  himself ;  the  rest  imitated 
perforce. 

A  moment  later  Phraortes  ushered  before  them  a 
young  man  in  Babylonish  dress,  handsome-visaged, 
but  now  dusty,  unkempt,  travel-stained.  The  stran 
ger  did  not  cover  his  hands,  Persian  fashion,  but  fell 
on  his  face  and  kissed  the  rugs  at  Cyrus's  feet,  nor 
did  he  arise  until  Cyrus  bade  him  to  fear  nothing. 

"Your  Majesty  understands  Chaldee?"  began  the 
stranger,  his  eyes  still  on  the  carpet. 

"  I  understand  and  speak  it,"  was  the  answer. 
"  Do  not  tremble.  We  Persians  forgive  all  else  so 
long  as  men  speak  the  truth.  Who  are  you  ?  Not 
a  Babylonian  ?  " 

While  the  king  spoke  he  had  sped  a  glance  keen 
as  a  spear  through  the  newcomer,  as  if  searching 
every  recess  of  his  soul.  But  the  other,  uncon- 
founded,  lifted  his  own  gaze  and  met  .Cyrus  boldly 
eye  to  eye,  a  glance  in  turn  so  penetrating,  yet  so 
winsome,  that  half  the  suspicions  of  monarch  and 
princes  were  disarmed. 


304  BELSHAZZAR 

"  I  am  no  Babylonian,  O  king  ! "  The  young 
man  tossed  his  head  proudly.  "  My  people  are  the 
Hebrews,  whom  it  pleases  the  Omnipotent  God  should 
suffer  oppression  at  the  hands  of  these  servants  of 
speechless  brass  and  graven  marble,  but  who  would 
not  exchange  the  Lord  God  of  their  fathers  for  a 
thousand  Belshazzars  and  his  kingdoms.  Know, 
your  Majesty,  that  my  name  is  Isaiah,  son  of  Sha- 
drach,  the  Jew,  though  born  and  bred  in  Babylon, 
city  of  darkness.  And  in  proof  of  what  I  may  tell 
you,  receive  this." 

He  was  extending  something  which  Cyrus  caught 
eagerly. 

"Beware,"  admonished  Hystaspes,  in  the  king's 
ear,  "this  may  be  but  a  spy  of  Belshazzar."  But 
the  young  man  overheard  and  answered  boldly :  — 

"la  spy  of  Belshazzar  ?  May  Jehovah  the  All- 
Seeing  smite  me  as  I  stand,  if  I  speak  one  jot  or  one 
tittle  more  or  less  than  truth  !  " 

Cyrus  had  raised  his  head,  and  looked  on  the 
Hebrew  again. 

"  And  I  believe  you,"  swore  the  king  ;  "  for  as 
Ahura  reigns,  I  do  not  deem  he  could  set  deceit 
behind  so  frank  a  face  and  eye.  This,  my  lords  "  — 
he  held  up  the  trinket  —  "is  the  locket  I  hung  on  my 
daughter's  neck  before  you  all.  And  now,  Jew,  say 
on." 

And  long  the  council  sat  and  listened  while  Isaiah 
unwound  to  them  the  tangled  web  of  Belshazzar's 
and  Avil's  intrigues  and  ill-doings  —  the  sham  mar- 


CYRUS,   FATHER  OF   THE  PEOPLE       305 

riage  treaty,  the  attempt  on  Darius's  life,  the  plot- 
tings  with  Egypt,  the  preparations  for  war. 

They  had  gathered  much  from  the  tale  of  the 
fugitive  Ariathes,  and  the  hasty  despatch  from  Go- 
bryas  ;  they  saw  all  clearly  now.  But  when  Isaiah 
had  finished,  Cyrus  asked  simply  :  — 

"  One  question  :  By  what  means  did  you  gain  this 
locket  from  the  Lady  Atossa  ?  Can  you  enter  Bel- 
shazzar's  own  harem  ?  " 

Whereupon  Isaiah  told  very  modestly  the  manner 
in  which  he  had  saved  the  princess  during  the  riot ; 
and  despite  his  slackness  in  self-praise,  as  he  ended, 
the  king  demanded  of  his  lords  :  — 

"  Men  of  Persia,  do  you  now  believe  this  man  ?  " 

"  Every  word,"  came  from  Harpagus,  and  he  spoke 
for  all. 

"  How,  then,  shall  the  great  king  reward  him  ?  " 

"  Let  the  Jew  take  three  talents  of  gold,"  answered 
the  councillor,  and  Cyrus  nodded  approval. 

"  So  be  it.  Son  of  Shadrach,  you  shall  have  as 
Prince  Harpagus  has  said." 

44  The  king  jests  with  his  servant,"  and  again  the 
Hebrew  looked  downward. 

"  Not  so,  on  the  inviolable  pledge  of  a  king  of  the 
Aryans !  " 

"  Your  Majesty,"  Isaiah  spoke  very  rapidly,  as  if 
to  escape  repentance  for  his  boldness,  "if  I  rescue 
Prince  Darius  from  his  dungeon  —  what  reward 
then?" 

The  eyes  of  the   Jew  were  very  bright.     They 


306  BELSHAZZAB 

could  see  he  was  hanging  on  the  king's  every  word. 
Cyrus  had  lifted  his  hand  in  an  oath. 

"  The  man  who  saves  Darius  shall  enter  my  treas 
ure-house  in  Ecbatana,  where  are  stored  the  jewels 
taken  from  the  Assyrian  by  Cynaxares  the  Mede, 
and  bear  thence  his  own  weight  in  precious  stones, 
though  he  take  rubies  and  diamonds  only  !  " 

They  who  watched  Isaiah  saw  him  sweep  his  hand, 
as  if  in  high  disdain. 

"  Keep  the  jewels,  O  Cyrus  !  "  cried  he,  nigh  pas 
sionately.  "  I  have  not  come  to  sell  my  service  like 
a  huckster,  to  bargain  for  gems  or  gold.  Yet  would 
you  truly  see  Darius  free  ?  " 

His  voice  had  risen  almost  to  a  menace,  but  the 
king  was  not  angry. 

"  Good,  Hebrew  !  "  Cyrus  was  smiling.  "  I  did 
not  think  riches  would  tempt  such  as  you.  You  seek 
something  nobler  —  and  by  Ahura's  great  name,  I 
declare  that  if  you  may  save  Darius,  you  may  ask 
anything  in  reason,  and  it  is  yours." 

Isaiah's  eyes  glittered  even  brighter  than  before, 
but  his  voice  grew  calm. 

"King  of  the  Aryans,  the  one  God,  whom  you 
worship  under  the  name  of  Ahura-Mazda,  and  we  as 
Jehovah,  has  given  my  people  now  for  fifty  years 
into  the  power  of  the  idol-worshipping  Chaldeans. 
Fifty  years  long  have  we  bowed  beneath  this  yoke, 
and  besought  our  God  that  he  would  forget  our  sins, 
would  restore  us  to  His  mercy.  Now  at  last  the 
hour  comes  when  it  shall  be  proved  before  all  nations 


CYRUS,  FATHER  OF  THE  PEOPLE   307 

which  is  the  greater,  Him  whom  we  serve,  or  Nabu 
and  Marduk  and  Samas,  the  demons  of  the  Chaldees. 
For  the  rage  of  Avil-Marduk,  the  chief  pontiff,  and 
of  Belshazzar  is  gone  out  against  my  people,  and  the 
oppression  they  suffer  is  more  than  most  may  bear. 
Either  my  people  must  bow  the  neck,  must  forsake 
their  God,  must  teach  their  children  to  serve  the 
idols  of  Babylon,  or  you,  O  Cyrus,  must  hear 
the  summons  of  the  Lord  Most  High,  and  make 
the  oppressed  go  free  ! " 

"  I  ?  What  are  you  saying,  Jew  ?  "  The  king  had 
leaped  from  his  seat.  They  faced  one  another,  mon 
arch  and  prophet  for  the  instant  equals. 

"  Sovereign  of  Persia,"  —  Isaiah  bore  himself  as 
proudly  as  if  he  were  the  "  King  of  kings,"  —  "  the 
God  of  nations  has  clothed  you  with  power,  the  like 
of  which  he  never  shed  on  mortal  man  before,  not 
on  Assur-bani-pal,  the  great  Assyrian.  The  tribes 
men  on  countless  plains  are  yours  ;  your  horsemen 
He  alone  may  number.  Belshazzar,  the  Babylonian, 
casts  defiance  in  your  teeth.  You  hesitate,  for  you 
fear  for  Darius.  Were  he  free,  the  perjurer  would 
already  see  from  his  walls  the  sky  lit  with  the  villages 
blazing  under  the  Persian  torch.  And  it  is  I  that 
may  set  Darius  free.  Jehovah  has  set  in  me  a  spirit 
of  craft  and  wisdom  that  with  His  help  shall  not 
fail.  Though  they  seek  my  life  in  Babylon,  I  know 
how  to  avoid  them.  Be  this  the  reward  for  the 
rescue  of  Darius  :  you  shall  call  forth  your  myriads 
and  dash  Belshazzar  from  his  ill-gained  throne,  and 


308  BELSHAZZAR 

then  "  —  brighter  than  ever  were  the  Jew's  eyes  now 
— "  you  shall  restore  my  people  to  their  own  land, 
that  they  may  rebuild  their  desolate  Jerusalem. 
This  is  my  reward  !  " 

Stillness,  while  many  heard  their  heart-beats. 
The  rest  saw  Cyrus  approach  three  steps  toward  the 
Jew  ;  the  two  were  yet  looking  eye  to  eye. 

"  Hebrew,"  Cyrus  was  striving  to  speak  quietly, 
"  a  great  thing  you  propose,  a  great  thing  you  ask. 
How  long  a  time  will  you  require  to  return  to  Babylon 
and  do  this  deed  ?  " 

"In  forty  days  I  pledge  my  head  to  show  you 
Darius  safe  and  free,  here  or  in  your  camp.  In 
Babylon  I  have  two  fellow-countrymen  who  will 
peril  all  to  aid  me."-  And  Isaiah  thought  of  Zerub- 
babel  and  of  Shaphat. 

"  By  Mithra  !  you  speak  of  return  to  Babylon  as 
of  returning  to  a  feast  !  " 

"Fairer  than  a  feast,  my  lord.  I  return  to  the 
fulfilment  of  my  heart's  desire  —  the  winning  of 
freedom  for  my  people." 

"  Yet  though  you  prosper,  what  if  we  fail  ?  We 
may  drive  Belshazzar  from  the  field,  but  the  ramparts 
of  Babylon  —  " 

Isaiah  took  the  words  from  the  king's  mouth. 

"  Shall  lie  smooth  as  the  plain  to  the  feet  of  Cyrus, 
the  called  of  Jehovah  !  " 

Cyrus  looked  again,  and  very  earnestly.  "  One 
thing  more,  Hebrew  —  my  daughter,  in  Belshaz- 
zar's  harem  ? "  His  voice  sank  exceeding  low. 


CYRUS,  FATHER  OF  THE  PEOPLE   309 

"  What  will  be  her  treatment  ?  Answer  me  truly 
this." 

u  Your  Majesty,"  was  the  unfaltering  reply,  "  even 
the  Babylonian  is  not  in  all  things  a  fiend.  Bel- 
shazzar  does  not  carry  his  villany  so  far,  that  if 
Darius  escape,  he  would  wreak  vengeance  on  his  own 
betrothed  wife.  I  grieve  for  the  Lady  Atossa,  but 
the  swords  of  the  Aryans  are  the  only  talismans  that 
will  make  her  lot  less  wretched." 

Cyrus  moved  another  step  nearer.  He  had  raised 
his  hand  toward  heaven. 

"Then  in  the  name  of  Ahura,  One  God  of  All, 
and  the  Ameshaspentas,  His  archangels,  I  swear 
that  if  you  save  Darius,  I  will  lay  low  Babylon  and 
set  your  people  free.  And  you,  princes  of  the  Persians, 
are  my  witnesses." 

When  he  looked  downward,  he  saw  Isaiah  kneeling 
before  him,  kissing  the  hem  of  his  mantle. 

"  Do  not  fear,  my  king,"  he  was  declaring  ;  "  Je 
hovah,  who  has  plucked  me  from  so  many  perils,  will 
not  fail  me  now,  when  I  speed  upon  His  service." 

But  Cyrus  had  turned  to  his  council. 

"  Men  of  Iran,"  said  he,  simply,  "  Ahura  has  not 
forsaken  us.  He  has  sent  us  Vohu-Mano,  the  spirit 
of  wise  council.  We  need  linger  no  more  here." 


$  BELSHAZZAR'S  GUESTS  FORSAKE  HIM 


CHAPTER  XX 

A  VIL-MARDUK  had  visited  a  strange  place  for 
/"\  the  chief  priest,  —  the  nethermost  dungeon  in 
the  palace  guard-house,  by  the  royal  quay.  Here  one 
could  hear  the  river  brawling  against  the  slimy  walls. 
The  black  murk  of  the  sunken  galleries  leading  to 
the  cells  had  been  charged  with  a  damp  and  sickening 
odour.  The  light  from  the  slits  against  the  ceiling 
was  just  enough  to  suffer  one,  with  eyes  accustomed 
to  darkness,  to  grope  his  way.  When  the  chief 
warden  put  his  key  in  the  ponderous  wooden  lock  of 
a  door,  the  pivots  creaked  and  a  whiff  of  air  drifted 
from  within,  but  so  stifling  that  for  an  instant  the 
priest  recoiled. 

"  Who  is  here,"  demanded  he  of  the  warden,  "  the 
Persian  or  Daniel  ?  My  errand  is  to  both." 

"  The  Persian,  my  lord.  Your  eyes  may  not  see 
him,  but  he  is  crouched  in  the  farther  corner.  He  is 
dangerous.  Seven  men  had  to  hold  when  we  put  on 
his  fetters.  Shall  I  stay  by  while  you  speak  with 
him  ?  " 

"  Wait  within  call,  though  I  must  talk  alone." 
Then,  raising  his  voice,  he  jeered  boldly  :  "  Ha  ! 

310 


BELSHAZZAR'S   GUESTS   FORSAKE   HIM     311 

noble  prince,  do  you  find  the  raw  millet  and  canal 
water  of  this  guard-house  daintier  than  the  fare  on 
Cyrus's  tables  ?  Be  comforted  ;  twenty-seven  years 
did  Zedekiah,  the  Jewish  king,  languish  in  this  very 
cell.  You  are  not  likely  to  enjoy  its  hospitality  so 
long." 

Out  of  the  dark  came  an  ominous  growl. 

"  Take  care,  dceva ;  come  within  reach,  and 
chained  though  I  be,  I  can  kill  you  !  " 

"  I  will  keep  a  safe  distance  from  your  Highness," 
was  Avil's  undisturbed  reply. 

"And  now,  son  of  Hystaspes,"  he  continued, 
dropping  the  catlike  purring  from  his  voice,  "let 
us  understand  one  another.  You  are  utterly  in  our 
power.  By  this  time,  at  least,  you  will  begin  to 
confess  it." 

He  heard  the  chains  begin  to  rattle  from  the  corner. 

"  By  this  time,  O  Prince  of  Treachery,  you  begin 
to  hear  the  roar  of  the  Persian  lion.  Do  you  con 
fess  it  ?  Has  the  news  that  comes  of  late  to  Baby 
lon  been  sweet  as  Assyrian  honey  ?  " 

Avil  let  a  moment  pass  before  he  answered  :  — 

"It  is  true  that  Cyrus  is  massing  soldiers,"  he 
admitted. 

"  It  is  true  that  Kutha  has  surrendered,  and  Siru- 
sur  the  Tartan  suffered  a  defeat.  Make  your  toads, 
these  jailers,  keep  tighter  mouths,  if  you  would  have 
them  leak  no  news  to  me." 

"  If  those  turnkeys  chatter,  the  stakes  are  ready 
to  impale  them,"  cursed  Avil,  under  breath.  Then, 


312  BELSHAZZAR 

returning  to  the  charge  boldly  :  "  Yes,  it  is  true,  war 
has  blazed  forth.  No  profit  to  deny.  But  nothing 
decisive  has  befallen.  The  king  leads  his  host  into 
the  field  in  a  few  days.  If  Cyrus  be  the  first  to 
attack  —  " 

"  I  shall  be  put  to  death  ?  " 

"  Unless  you  will  serve  our  ends.  Are  you  bent 
on  destruction  ?  " 

"  I  am  in  Ahura's  hands.  It  is  His,  not  yours,  to 
give  life  or  death." 

Avil  incautiously  advanced  a  few  steps  into  the 
darkness. 

"  The  '  suicide-demon  '  possesses  you,  Persian,"  he 
was  asserting,  when  with  a  clatter  of  chains  the 
prince  bounded  from  his  corner  and  dashed  the 
priest  to  the  bricked  floor. 

"  At  last,  adder  !  "  snorted  he,  uplifting  his  man 
acled  hands,  and  smiting  once  and  again. 

"  Rescue  !  Help  !  Murder  !  "  bawled  Avil, 
helpless  on  his  back. 

Well  that  the  jailers  ran  swiftly,  or  Bel  would 
have  lacked  a  pontiff.  They  plucked  the  prince 
from  his  victim  by  sheer  force,  and  dragged  Avil 
away,  covered  with  bruises.  He  stood,  invoking 
upper  and  nether  powers  to  blast  the  Persian  race 
forever.  They  put  a  shorter  chain  on  the  prisoner, 
but  he  still  challenged  out  of  his  gloom. 

"  Closer,  friend  !  Closer  !  I  dearly  love  a  fair 
wrestle  !  " 

But  the   priest  turned  away,  quaking,  and  bade 


BELSHAZZAR'S   GUESTS  FOKSAKE  HIM     313 

the  others  open  the  door  of  the  adjacent  cell,  for  he 
desired  speech  with  that  second  prisoner  of  state, 
the  Hebrew  Daniel. 

Darius  was  left  in  his  dungeon  ;  the  bolts  clanked 
into  place,  the  footsteps  died  away.  At  first  he 
heard  only  the  swash  of  the  current  against  the  ooz 
ing  bricks,  and  the  shouts  of  bargemen  forcing  their 
craft  up-river.  But  the  prince  did  not  rage  in  his 
fetters,  as  a  month  earlier,  when  first  they  cast  him 
into  this  "  death-in-life."  Laying  his  ear  against  the 
partition,  he  could  hear  voices  uplifted  —  Avil-Mar- 
duk  in  angry  colloquy  with  Daniel,  who,  contrary  to 
Belshazzar's  pledge  in  the  proclamation,  had  not 
been  kept  in  light  captivity,  but  in  heaviest  durance. 
Darius  caught  no  word,  but  he  guessed  that  the 
priest  was  ill  satisfied  with  his  errand  when  Daniel's 
door  clashed  to  suddenly,  and  Avil's  voice  sounded 
in  the  gallery  :  — 

"  Now,  as  Bel  is  lord  of  Babylon,  we  will  find 
straiter  quarters  yet  for  this  stiff-backed  pair  !  " 
Then  there  were  more  steps,  and  again  silence  ;  but 
presently  a  soft  rattle  at  Darius's  own  door,  and  the 
prince  crept  toward  it,  as  far  as  his  chains  suffered. 
Some  one  spoke  at  the  ample  keyhole. 

"Listen  well,  my  prince,  the  other  wardens  are 
all  around  us." 

Existence  in  such  a  prison  had  taught  Darius  to 
catch  every  whisper. 

"  I  hear  you.  You  are  Zerubbabel,  the  Jew. 
Where  is  Isaiah  ?  " 


314  BELSHAZZAK 

"  He  is  more  suspected  than  I ;  and  even  my  fidel 
ity  as  turnkey  is  half  in  doubt.  Isaiah  is  looking 
to  the  locks  on  the  tunnel.  The  escape  must  be  to 
night  or  not  at  all.  Shaphat  is  arranging  to  have 
horses  waiting  beyond  the  gates."  Feet  sounded 
once  more  in  the  gallery.  The  speaker  moved  noise 
lessly  away.  Again  silence  and  again  the  voice  :  — 

"  The  chief  priest  swears  that  longer  parley  with 
you  is  useless.  He  urges  the  king  to  cast  your  head 
into  Cyrus's  camp.  That  would  bar  the  last  door 
to  peace,  and  spur  on  Babylon  to  resist  to  the 
uttermost." 

"And  Daniel?" 

"  Avil  would  love  to  slay  him  with  you,  but  dare 
not.  News  of  his  execution,  were  it  to  leak  out, 
would  still  raise  the  city  in  riot.  But  we  hope  to 
save  him  with  you." 

"  Till  when  shall  I  wait  to-night  ?  "  The  words 
came  eagerly. 

"  We  cannot  stir  before  the  third  '  double-hour ' l 
of  the  night.  All  is  ready." 

Shouts  sounded  down  the  gallery ;  Zerubbabel  was 
gone,  and  Darius  sat  in  his  gloom.  How  many 
times  since  he  had  been  thrust  within  that  cell  had 
he  watched  the  bar  of  pale  golden  light,  which 
drifted  through  that  chink  against  the  ceiling,  creep, 
silent  as  the  tread  of  a  dream,  across  the  floor  !  It 
was  his  only  sun-dial.  Pictured  in  its  brightness 
he  had  seen  many  a  sight  he  had  told  himself  he 
1  Ten  P.M. 


BELSHAZZAR'S   GUESTS  FORSAKE   HIM     315 

would  never  see  more  with  mortal  eye,  —  his  father, 
the  hills  of  his  native  Iran,  and  Atossa,  always 
Atossa,  fair  as  on  the  night  of  their  meeting  in 
the  Hanging  Gardens,  when  for  the  last  time  he  had 
looked  into  her  dear  eyes. 

Interminable  waiting  !  All  the  hard-learned  les 
sons  in  patience,  in  which  Darius  had  schooled  him 
self  since  existing  in  that  dungeon,  forgotten  in  an 
hour  !  But,  nevertheless,  the  day  did  wane.  The 
little  bar  of  light  crawled  snail-like  across  the  wet 
bricks  of  the  floor,  and  began  to  climb  the  reeking 
wall.  It  mounted  higher,  higher,  then  began  to 
fade,  and  for  once  the  Persian's  heart  commanded 
"  go  quickly,"  though  the  ray  had  ofttimes  been  his 
dear  friend.  The  chief  warden  entered  with  eight 
men,  examined  his  captive's  chains.  Intact.  He 
and  his  band  with  their  blinding  torches  were  gone. 
Once  more  stillness,  and  only  the  monotonous  music 
of  the  great  river  fleeting  seaward. 

The  last  daylight  had  long  vanished  before  Darius 
heard  again  —  how  gladly  !  —  something  stirring  in 
the  gallery  without.  There  were  a  shout  and  a 
challenge  when  the  guards  were  changing,  the 
trample  of  heavy  sandals,  silence  again,  then  Zerubba- 
bel's  voice  close  to  the  door. 

"  Quiet,  my  prince,  my  watch  ends  at  midnight. 
We  must  be  all  haste." 

The  bolt  was  withdrawing  noiselessly;  the  door 
crept  open;  inside  glided  a  man  with  a  flickering 
lamp  that  shed  a  red,  uncertain  light,  leaving  half 


316  BELSHAZZAK, 

the  cell  veiled  in  its  shadows.  Darius  started,  but  a 
warning  "  Hist !  "  fixed  him. 

"  Where  is  Isaiah?  " 

"  In  the  next  dungeon,  releasing  Daniel.  The 
sentries  have  been  drugged.  Now  off  with  these 
chains." 

Babylonian  fetters  needed  no  key;  the  bronze 
circles,  never  locked,  were  simply  hammered  together 
around  wrist  or  ankle.  Happy  mortal  was  he  who, 
having  felt  them  close  upon  him,  could  feel  them 
also  release.  The  turnkey  set  down  his  lamp,  drew 
forth  a  stout  iron  bar.  One  twist  of  the  lever  freed 
the  Persian's  good  right  arm,  and  like  an  unchained 
lion  Darius  tore  his  other  limbs  free,  almost  with 
his  empty  hand.  The  Persian's  heart  gave  a  great 
bound  as  he  sniffed  a  clear,  sweet  puff  of  night  air, 
while  ranging  the  gallery.  A  second  lamp  and  two 
more  figures  came  out  of  the  gloom,  but  it  was  no 
place  for  stately  greetings. 

"  The  noble  Prince  Darius !  "  exclaimed  Isaiah, 
softly,  advancing  from  the  darkness.  "  Jehovah  be 
praised !  " 

"  And  with  you  is  my  Lord  Daniel  ?  " 

"  Safe  and  free,  Jehovah  willing,"  answered  the 
older  Jew,  stepping  forward. 

"  Good,  then,"  replied  the  Persian.  "  Lead  the 
way,  for  I  am  helpless  here.  Next  to  Ahura,  I  owe 
all  to  you,  Isaiah,  and  to  your  friends !  " 

"Fear  nothing."  And  Isaiah  trod  forward  into 
the  dark.  "  Few  know  the  secrets  of  this  city 


BELSHAZZAR'S   GUESTS   FORSAKE   HIM     317 

and  palace  as  do  I.  We  must  haste  to  the 
tunnel." 

They  advanced  in  silence.  The  prison  seemed 
empty  of  all  life.  Their  feet  awoke  loud  echoes 
down  shadow-veiled  galleries,  but  nothing  hostile 
started  forth  to  greet  them.  Presently  they  began 
ascending  stairways,  and  the  foul  stench  of  the  dun 
geons  grew  yet  fainter. 

Then  a  door  swung  open  before  them,  and  a  cold 
breath  smote  their  faces.  A  strange  form  thrust 
itself  across  their  path. 

"Who  comes?  Shaphat?"  demanded  Isaiah,  never 
off  his  guard. 

The  newcomer  stared  about  him  in  the  dark. 

"  I  am  he ;  the  guards  are  quieted.  There  is  no 
danger.  But  where  is  my  Lord  Daniel?  Let  me 
fall  at  his  feet." 

And  recognizing  the  older  Jew,  he  cast  himself 
then  and  there  upon  his  knees. 

"  O  lord,  gracious  master,  who  was  as  a  father  to 
me  and  whom  I  have  requited  after  the  manner  of 
demons,  speak  to  me  one  word.  Declare  that  you  for 
give,  for  the  blackness  of  my  sin  is  ever  before  me  ! " 

Daniel  beckoned  him  to  rise. 

"  You  are  forgiven  long  ago  ;  I  have  heard  of  the 
atonement  made  by  saving  Ruth,  and  by  rescuing 
Isaiah  in  the  riot.  You  have  sinned  and  have 
repented.  The  Lord  God  requires  nothing  more." 

"  Speed,"  interrupted  Isaiah,  "  we  must  be  all 
haste." 


318  BELSHAZZAK 

Then  without  another  word  he  led  the  way  over 
the  threshold,  past  the  ponderous  prison  gate,  and 
Darius  rejoiced  yet  again  when  he  found  himself 
beneath  the  glittering  canopy  of  the  stars.  No 
moon.  Under  the  starlight  he  could  see  the  vague 
white  tracery  of  the  great  palace  to  his  left ;  to  his 
right  the  outlines  of  the  ziggurats  beyond  the  river, 
trebly  tall  in  the  darkness,  and  before  the  temples 
the  opalescent  twinkle  of  some  wavelet  of  the 
mighty  Euphrates,  where  a  constellation  was  mir 
rored.  Isaiah  hastened  northward.  They  saw,  far 
off,  a  form  pacing  the  embankment  above  the  stream. 
The  starlight  touched  something  that  glittered  —  a 
soldier's  helmet.  Darius  heard  the  chanted  call 
pealing  over  the  sleeping  fortress:  — 

"The  Ninib-star1  rises.  Midnight  approaches. 
Marduk  prosper  Belshazzar  our  lord !  " 

"  They  change  sentries  soon.  Speed  I  "  urged 
Isaiah.  And  he  led  faster  along  the  deserted  quay. 
Soon  before  them  rose  a  low,  square  building,  and 
they  halted. 

"The  entrance  to  the  tunnel  beneath  the  river," 
whispered  Zerubbabel.  "  Now,  if  at  all,  let  Jehovah 
show  His  mercy.  All  other  exits  from  the  palace 
fortress  are  too  well  watched." 

Isaiah,  who  had  kept  his  lamp  pricked  down  to  a 

bare  flicker  under  his  mantle,  boldly  thrust  in  the 

door.     They  were  in  a  small,  bricked  guard-room. 

Directly   before    them   was   a   second    door,   small, 

i  Saturn. 


BELSHAZZAR'S   GUESTS  FOKSAKE  HIM     319 

ponderous,  and  heavily  barred.  Across  the  thresh 
old  lay  a  man  in  armour,  but  snoring  in  the  slumbers 
of  the  just. 

"  This  is  the  passage  to  the  great  tunnel  of  which 
I  have  heard  so  much  ?  "  asked  Darius,  softly.  "  Is 
not  the  exit  guarded?" 

Isaiah  shook  his  head.  "That,  too,  is  provided 
for.  The  guard  across  the  river  is  more  lax  than 
here.  But  now  we  must  push  away  this  dolt  and 
force  the  door." 

Darius  motioned  with  his  hands,  signifying  that 
one  twist  of  his  fingers  around  the  sentinel's  neck 
would  speed  him  past  mortal  outcry ;  but  when 
they  rolled  the  rascal  over,  his  guardian  god  favoured 
him.  He  grunted  once,  folded  his  hands,  and  fell 
again  to  snoring.  The  drug  had  done  its  work. 

Isaiah,  Shaphat,  and  Zerubbabel  applied  themselves 
to  the  massive  door.  Its  bolts  and  bars  yielded  one 
by  one.  They  were  about  to  put  their  strength 
against  it  and  thrust  inward,  when  the  turnkey 
stepped  to  one  side  into  a  darkened  corner.  One 
step,  but  the  mending  or  ending  of  five  human  lives 
was  hanging  on  the  planting  of  that  foot.  He  trod 
on  something  soft,  something  living.  In  a  twinkling 
there  followed  a  howl,  a  yelp,  a  prodigious  bark 
ing. 

"Fiends  of  Sheol  blast  the  cur ! "  swore  Zerubbabel, 
his  iron  bar  clattering  from  palsied  fingers.  "  All  is 
lost!" 

Darius  leaped  upon  the  dog,  caught  him,  strove 


320  BELSHAZZAR 

to  throttle ;  but  the  mongrel  brute  writhed  from 
his  grip,  bounded  to  the  outer  door,  and  lifted 
up  his  muzzle,  howling.  Instantly  a  second  dog 
answered,  a  third,  a  fourth,  and  more,  till  they 
seemed  encircled  by  dogs  uncounted.  Human  voices 
were  beginning  to  swell  the  din. 

"  Alarm !  To  arms !  Turn  out  the  guard  !  " 
The  distant  sentries  were  passing  it  one  to  the 
other. 

The  five  stood  and  stared  in  one  another's  faces. 
The  hopes  of  the  night  had  been  utterly  dashed. 
What  was  left  save  death?  But  Darius,  ever  the 
soldier  and  leader,  tossed  up  his  head,  and  demanded 
fiercely :  "  Why  gape  and  gibber  here  ?  Down  the 
tunnel !  We  can  cross  before  they  reach  the  exit  by 
bridge  or  boat." 

"  My  lord,"  answered  Isaiah,  sadly,  "  below  this 
door,  on  the  staircase,  is  machinery  to  the  sluice, 
whereby  the  tunnel  can  be  flooded.  We  cannot 
bar  this  entrance  from  within.  To  descend  means 
drowning  beneath  the  river." 

The  drunken  sentinel  stirred  in  his  slumber,  but 
did  not  waken ;  yet  the  others  heard  the  nearing 
shouting.  The  sleepy  soldiers  were  tumbling  from 
their  barracks.  The  five  heard  the  clangour  of  the 
great  brass  gong  at  the  palace  gate.  The  Lord  God 
knew  how  soon  a  "  ten  "  of  infantry  would  be  on  the 
fugitives.  Darius  had  possessed  himself  of  the 
helpless  watchman's  sword. 

"  By  Ahura  Most  High !  "  was  his  desperate  oath, 


BELSHAZZAR'S   GUESTS  FOKSAKE   HIM     321 

"  it  is  better  to  mount  aloft  with  seven  foes  sped  on 
before  me,  than  to  drown  beneath  the  river.  They 
shall  not  take  me  unresisting !  " 

Feet  approached  rapidly.  A  new  cry  was  rising, 
"  The  state  captives,  the  Persian  and  Daniel ! 
Escaped  !  Pursue  !  " 

Isaiah  dashed  to  the  door  of  the  tunnel-house  and 
bolted  it.  It  would  take  a  few  moments  to  force. 
Darius  had  turned  to  the  others. 

"  I  am  a  man  of  war,  and  know  the  look  of  death. 
If  two  men  were  to  remain  in  the  narrow  entrance 
to  this  stairway,  they  could  defend  it  long.  Five 
must  not  perish  where  two  suffice."  He  was 
stripping  the  drunkard  of  helm  and  shield.  "  I  and 
one  other  will  defend  against  pursuit,  the  rest  flee  !  " 

But  Isaiah  threw  up  his  hands  in  dismay.  "  Folly, 
my  prince.  Your  life  is  worth  a  thousand  such 
as  mine.  I  am  no  weakling.  Shaphat  shall  guide 
you  to  safety.  Leave  the  defence  to  Zerubbabel 
and  to  me  !  " 

A  thunderous  beating  on  the  door,  and  Igas- 
Ramman,  the  captain,  was  clamouring,  "  Open ! 
Open !  In  the  king's  name  !  " 

Isaiah  reached  to  pluck  the  sword  from  Darius's 
hands.  "  Haste  !  "  he  exhorted,  but  another  hand 
caught  his. 

"  Folly  again."  It  was  Daniel  who  cried  it. 
"  You  are  all  young.  Life  is  sweet.  God  will  give 
you  many  days  and  power  to  do  great  deeds.  /  will 
defend  the  entrance." 


322  BELSHAZZAK 

"  You  ?  "     The  others  were  staring  now  in  truth. 

"  Open  !  Open,  or  you  die  the  death  !  "  howled 
the  soldiers  without ;  and  Igas  commanded  fiercely: 
"  Beat  in  the  door  !  Hew  it  asunder  !  " 

The  stout  portal  shook  on  its  pivots,  battered  by 
spear-butts.  It  could  not  last  long. 

"  This  shall  never  be  !  "  shouted  Darius,  while  the 
deadly  clamour  increased.  "  Who  will  abide  with 
you?  You  are  the  least  fit  of  us  all." 

But  at  this  instant  Shaphat  spoke  forth  boldly: 
"  If  my  Lord  Daniel  remain,  he  shall  not  remain 
alone,  nor  shall  my  betters  be  brought  to  death. 
Of  us  all,  I  am  of  least  worth.  I  have  but  one  life 
to  proffer,  as  sacrifice  for  my  sins,  let  it  be  offered 
now!" 

"  Dare  you  trust  this  man  ? "  cried  the  prince, 
nigh  angrily,  while  the  door  leaped  inward  with 
every  stroke  —  "a  confessed  perjurer  ? " 

But  Daniel  answered,  with  his  wonted  calm 
majesty:  "Yes,  as  the  Lord  God  liveth,  I  can  trust 
him.  He  and  I  shall  cover  your  retreat  as  long  as 
Jehovah  grants  us  strength." 

But  still  the  friendly  rivalry  went  on,  until 
Shaphat  plucked  away  Zerubbabel's  own  sword,  and 
set  himself  boldly  across  the  doorway*  Daniel 
turned  to  the  others  imploring. 

"  Away !  away  !  "  he  prayed  ;  "  do  you  not  see 
delay  only  ruins  each  and  all  ?  "  And  with  a  mar 
vellous  strength  that  white-haired  man  had  wrung 
the  weapon  from  Darius 's  grasp,  and  was  putting 


BELSHAZZAR'S   GUESTS   FORSAKE   HIM     323 

on  the  helmet.  As  he  stood  in  the  wan  lamplight, 
his  form  loomed  erect,  powerful.  He  seemed  to 
have  cast  off  the  weight  of  twenty  years.  Woe  to 
the  first  to  meet  him  man  to  man  ! 

"  Bring  a  beam  ! "  raged  Igas  to  the  soldiers. 
"  Shatter  the  door  !  " 

"  Off  !  "  urged  the  minister,  tears  now  in  his  eyes. 
"  Will  you  cast  yourself  away,  Isaiah,  and  leave  Ruth 
desolate  when  I  am  taken  ?  Will  you  leave  the  Lord 
God's  purposes  for  you  undone,  my  prince,  by  dying 
here  in  vain  ?  I  am  old.  I  have  done  His  work. 
I  live  or  die  by  His  will.  I  do  not  fear." 

Crash  !  Before  the  battering  beam  the  door  was 
splintering. 

"  We  will  never  leave  you  !  "  came  from  the  young 
men  ;  but  Daniel  answered  with  a  gesture  of  com 
mand.  It  was  he  who  was  prince,  not  Darius. 

"  Go  !  I  command  it  !  "  cried  he,  almost  arro 
gantly  ;  "  or  your  own  blood  and  God's  wrath  are 
on  you." 

The  tone,  the  majesty  of  his  presence,  these  made 
his  words  as  law.  Darius's  heart  cried  out  in 
revolt,  but  he  bowed  his  head  and  obeyed.  They 
thrust  open  the  inner  entrance,  and  a  dank  stairway 
wound  down  into  the  darkness.  They  kept  Zerub- 
babel's  lamp.  Isaiah  left  his  for  Daniel.  No  instant 
for  long  partings.  Isaiah  strode  over  beside  Sha- 
phat  —  "You  are  a  true  son  of  Judah,"  said  he  sim 
ply.  But  Shaphat  only  bowed  his  head. 

"  The  One  God  spare  you,  my  father  !  "  came  from 


324  BELSHAZZAR 

Darius's  trembling  lips,  though  the  fear  was  not 
for  self. 

"  And  you,  my  son  "  —  like  words  between  Daniel 
and  Isaiah,  and  that  was  all.  They  saw  the  civil- 
minister  standing,  sword  in  hand,  across  the  narrow 
entrance,  hoary,  but  then,  if  never  before,  terrible. 
And  at  his  side,  steadfast  and  unflinching,  was 
Shaphat,  the  one-time  recreant. 

A  last  crash  —  the  beam,  swung  by  twenty  arms, 
beat  the  outer  door  inward.  It  toppled  on  the 
bricks.  Half  a  score  of  torches  tossed  together 
and  flickered  on  bared  blades  and  lance-heads.  A 
great  yell  of  triumph,  followed  by  a  howl  of  surprise. 
A  last  vision  was  branded  on  Darius's  memory. 
He  heard  the  clash  of  steel  above  him,  the  crash  of 
conflict.  Then  the  stairway  turned,  cutting  off 
sight  and  sound,  and  all  about  was  blackness. 


BELSHAZZAR  PURSUES  IN  VAINc*^* 


CHAPTER  XXI 

THE  last  glimmer  of  light  from  above  had  van 
ished.  The  darkness,  deeper  than  that  of 
deepest  night,  crowded  about  the  three.  The  little 
lamp  in  Isaiah's  hand  shed  only  a  tiny  gleam  that 
made  the  shadows  behind  and  before  tenfold  the 
blacker.  As  they  descended  the  air  grew  foul,  so 
that  the  lamp  sank  to  a  poor  spark,  and  all  were 
gasping.  It  was  like  passing  alive  into  Sheol,  and 
threading  the  avenues  of  the  dead.  No  word,  save 
when  Isaiah  halted  an  instant  and  pointed  to  a 
ponderous  bronze  lever  set  in  the  brickwork. 

"  This  controls  the  sluice,"  quoth  he,  in  a  whisper  ; 
M  we  pass  beneath  the  river  soon." 

Darius  had  caught  the  lever  in  a  giant  clutch, 
and  twisted  it  in  its  socket ;  it  would  play  less 
easily  now,  and  delay  the  flooding.  Then  the  air 
around  them  grew  yet  more  foul,  so  that  they  were 
fain  to  bow  their  heads  and  haste  onward,  catching 
the  purer  breaths  that  hung  along  the  slimy  bricks 
at  their  feet.  And  above  him,  and  all  around,  the 
Persian  heard  what  sounded  as  a  rushing  wind  — 
yet  not  a  wind,  for  it  sang  and  sang,  without  gust 

325 


326  BELSHAZZAR, 

or  crooning,  one  ceaseless,  monotonous  murmur,  and 
he  knew  that  it  was  the  great  Euphrates  speeding 
above  his  head.  No  longer  any  stairs  —  their  path 
led  right  onward. 

So  narrow  the  way  that  they  could  have  reached 
to  each  wall  at  once  with  outstretched  hands.  But 
they  seldom  did  so,  for  all  the  bricks  were  slimy 
with  an  ooze  that  made  the  flesh  creep  to  the  touch. 
And  Darius  trod  through  a  plashing  mire,  cold, 
fetid,  unsunned  for  many  a  long  year.  What  mon 
sters  lurked  in  the  all-encircling  dark  ?  Did  not  the 
dread  "  Scorpion-Men "  of  the  Chaldees'  tales  here 
find  dwelling?  Were  they  not  near  the  gates  of 
Ninkigal,  "  Lady  of  Torment,"  of  the  Anunnaki,  the 
"  Earth-Fiends  "  ? 

Once  Zerubbabel,  just  ahead  of  Darius,  had  stum 
bled  ;  they  heard  a  splash  and  clatter  of  some  object 
escaping  into  the  dark  —  some  vile,  light-hating 
creature  that  loved  this  pathway  of  the  dead.  Yet 
there  was  no  time  for  halting  or  even  for  trem 
bling.  Above  them  the  rush  of  the  river  became  a 
maddening  torture.  Every  heart-beat  seemed  long, 
every  breath  of  the  death-laden  air  bought  with  a 
pang.  And  behind  them  at  the  mouth  of  the  tunnel 
was  the  old  man  Daniel  with  Shaphat,  —  renegade 
once  and  hero  now,  —  sacrificing  themselves  for  the 
fugitives.  But  how  long  might  such  as  they  hold 
back  Igas-Ramman  and  his  scores?  How  long  be 
fore  hostile  hands  would  be  wresting  on  that  sluice 
lever  and  this  thoroughfare  of  the  dead  become  a 
tomb  indeed  ? 


BELSHAZZAR,  PURSUES   IN  VAIN        327 

Darius  knew  that  Isaiah  was  counting  the  brick 
piers  bedded  in  the  casement;  but,  though  he  stared 
into  the  blackness  ahead  until  his  eyes  nigh  throbbed 
with  the  pain,  he  met  only  darkness  and  ever  more 
darkness. 

Once  he  cried  aloud  to  Isaiah,  "  How  many  piers 
are  yet  to  pass  ?  " 

His  words  seemed  to  have  awakened  all  the 
ghosts  and  ghouls  of  this  foul  country.  Echo  pealed 
upon  echo,  his  words  were  multiplied  a  score  of 
times.  Hidden  voices  flung  back  his  question  out 
of  murky  deeps.  And  he  thought  (for  what  were 
not  his  thoughts  at  such  a  moment?)  that  these 
same  tongues  were  answering  for  Isaiah :  "  For 
ever  !  Forever  !  You  must  run  this  course  forever  !  " 

Onward  and  ever  onward,  till  senses  reeled  and 
ears  were  filled  with  a  buzzing  that  dimmed  the  fear 
ful  music  of  the  river.  Almost  was  Darius  ready 
to  pray  for  death,  if  life  were  longer  to  be  this. 
But  still  Isaiah's  lamp  went  on  before  him,  and  still 
the  Persian  followed,  his  feet  obeying  his  instinct, 
not  his  numbing  will.  The  Jews  wasted  no  breath 
on  speech.  The  journey  was  seeming  interminable, 
when  Isaiah  uttered  a  great  cry  of  relief  :  "  Praised 
be  Jehovah.  The  last  pier  is  passed;  we  soon  mount 
upward!  "  But  the  words  had  just  crossed  his  tongue 
when  the  three  groaned  together,  "  Hark  !  "  And 
blended  with  the  steady  rushing  of  the  Euphrates 
swelled  another  rushing,  as  of  water,  splashing  and 
swirling  rapidly  in  the  tunnel,  but  far  behind. 


328  BELSHAZZAR 

"  They  have  opened  the  sluice  at  last,"  came  from 
Isaiah,  with  awful  calmness  ;  "  we  must  haste,  and 
may  the  Lord  still  speed  us  !  " 

And  haste  they  did,  human  feet  pacing  against  the 
tread  of  the  waters.  They  stood  erect  despite  the 
deadly  air,  and  ran  —  ran,  while  the  swirling  behind 
them  grew  to  a  roaring  ;  and  of  a  sudden  the  slimy 
pools  at  their  feet,  through  which  they  stumbled, 
began  to  swell  from  their  soles  to  their  ankles  ;  and 
all  the  water,  once  chill,  grew  warm,  rushing  fresh 
from  the  sun-loved  current.  Then  all  around  the 
air  began  to  whistle  past  them  in  stifling  blasts, 
heralds  of  the  conquering  river,  blowing  as  swift  as 
the  waters  chased  them,  and  hurrying  the  fugitives 
onward.  The  roaring  behind  rose  to  reechoing 
thunder,  cavern  answering  to  cavern,  till  it  seemed 
that  all  the  demons  of  the  deep  were  howling  after 
as  for  their  prey. 

The  stream  had  risen  from  ankle  to  knee  —  now 
higher.  Isaiah  stumbled  ;  his  lamp  was  quenched, 
and  all  was  noise  and  utter  darkness.  Darius's 
voice  sounded  above  the  swirl,  his  firm  spirit  bent  at 
last  :  "  Let  us  make  our  peace  with  Ahura  !  That 
only  is  left !  "  But  the  Jews  caught  him  by  the 
hand  ;  he  saw  nothing,  but  under  foot  he  felt  a 
stairway.  They  were  rising,  rising ;  the  waters 
raved  after  them,  loath  to  quit  their  spoil.  But  the 
air — praised  be  the  Merciful !  — was  growing  sweet. 
The  crash  of  the  element  was  dimming  below.  The 
Jews  were  halting  on  a  platform,  and  groping  about 


BELSHAZZAK,  PURSUES   IN  VAIN        329 

for  a  keyhole.  A  rattle  of  bolts,  a  creaking  of  the 
pivot  —  Isaiah  was  withdrawing  the  huge  wooden 
key  and  relocking.  The  three  trod  the  embank 
ment  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  river.  The  moon 
was  creeping  up  above  the  tracery  of  the  tower  of 
Bel-Marduk,  and  spreading  her  mellow  light  over 
the  sleeping  city.  For  a  moment  it  seemed  still  — 
still  as  the  peace  of  the  Most  High.  They  saw  no 
one,  they  feared  no  one  ;  but  each  fell  on  his  knees, 
and  after  his  own  manner  prayed. 

Yet  they  had  scarce  risen  before  Isaiah  was  pluck 
ing  the  Persian's  mantle,  while  Zerubbabel  stretched 
a  finger  toward  the  river.  Gliding  from  the  royal 
quay,  now  hid  in  shadow,  now  clear  in  the  glisten 
ing  moonlight,  was  something  black,  crawling,  —  a 
huge  beetle  as  it  were  upon  the  glancing  river  —  a 
boat  and  their  pursuers.  But  Isaiah  was  calm  as  the 
heavens  above  him. 

"  Fear  nothing.  We  have  by  far  the  start.  The 
gates  are  open.  My  friends  are  ready  with  the 
horses.  Jehovah,  who  has  saved  us  out  of  the  clutch 
of  the  great  Euphrates,  shall  He  not  much  more 
save  from  the  feebler  wrath  of  man  ?  " 

"  I  fear  nothing,"  answered  Darius  ;  for  after 
that  journey  what  were  swords  and  spears  for  him 
to  dread  ? 

"  Come,  then  ;  we  go  the  Gate  of  Kisch." 

The  boat  had  crept  out  into  the  current  when  the 
three  sent  a  last  glance  across  the  river.  A  red 
beacon  fire  was  flaming  on  a  tower  of  the  western 


330  BELSHAZZAE 

palace.  Soon  the  guard  in  the  "  Old  Palace  "  on 
the  eastern  bank  would  be  stirring.  But  they  did 
not  tarry  for  the  alarm.  The  three  followed  the 
length  of  Nana  Street,  silent  and  desolate,  and  for  a 
time  heard  only  the  soughing  of  the  kind  night  wind 
from  the  balmy  west.  The  vision  of  the  tower  of 
Bel  faded  into  the  star-mist.  They  crossed  the 
bridge  of  the  East  Canal,  where  no  drowsy  watch 
man  challenged  them.  As  they  passed  the  gates  of 
the  temple  of  Beltis,  a  dozing  soldier  cried,  "  Your 
business  !  "  from  his  guard-room  ;  but  he  was  too 
fond  of  his  warm  mat  to  sally  into  the  dark  and  pur 
sue  possible  robbers. 

The  Arachtu  Canal  was  behind  them,  behind  them 
the  shops  of  the  great  merchants,  the  still  bazaars. 
Once  two  men  sprang  out  of  the  dark  before  them, 
—  street  thieves,  perchance,  lurking  for  the  unwary  ; 
but  one  sight  in  the  moonlight  of  the  stalwart  shoul 
ders  of  the  three,  and  the  others  vanished  without  a 
cry.  A  faint  light  gleamed  from  the  steps  of  a  low 
beer-house  ;  they  heard  brutish  laughter  and  more 
brutish  jesting  as  they  sped  onward.  The  tall  houses 
were  beginning  to  lessen,  the  moonlit  alleys  to  widen. 
Another  canal  and  another  bridge,  and  the  houses  were 
breaking  away  into  vague  masses  of  shadowy  villas 
and  gardens.  Still  forward  ;  and  now  behind,  and 
far  off,  came  a  roar  and  a  clattering,  —  the  sound  of 
horsemen  at  their  speed,  —  and  the  sound  lent  wings 
to  their  going.  But  Isaiah,  who  paced  even  the 
prince  as  they  ran,  cried  across  his  shoulder  :  — 


BELSHAZZAK  PUKSUES   IN  VAIN        331 

"  No  peril  !  Jehovah  is  with  us !  See,  the 
walls!" 

And  lo  I  as  Darius  gazed  upward,  above  him  was 
rising  the  naked  height  of  Imgur-Bel,  the  black 
battlements  clearly  outlined  against  the  roof  of 
heaven. 

Far  above  their  heads,  as  the  voice  of  a  sky- 
dweller,  came  once  more  the  call  of  a  sentry, 
"  The  morning  star  rises  !  Sleep  holds  the  city  ! 
Marduk  shed  favour  on  Belshazzar  the  king  !  " 

The  loud  noise  of  hoofs  behind  was  ominous,  but 
Isaiah  led  unfaltering  toward  the  gate.  There 
stood  the  portal,  at  either  side  a  soldier  in  his  armour, 
but  here  also  prone  on  the  ground  in  sleep  ;  and  the 
great  bronze-plated  doors  were  unbarred,  and  opened 
wide  enough  to  give  passage  to  a  man.  They  glided 
through  them  without  a  word.  Twelve  paces  more 
and  the  drawbridge  was  cleared.  Suddenly  forms 
rose  up  out  of  the  gloom  before  them  —  five  horses, 
and  at  their  heads  as  many  men. 

"  Who  comes  ?  "  cried  a  voice,  and  Isaiah  halted. 

"  This,  my  Lord  Prince,"  he  announced  to  Darius, 
"is  that  Abiathar  in  whose  behalf  I  had  attacked 
Igas-Ramman  when  you  saved  me.  He  is  not  un 
grateful."  Then  to  the  others:  "We  are  here, 
Abiathar,  though  late.  You  and  your  friends  have 
not  failed  us  ;  Jehovah  reward  you  and  give  His 
mercy  !  " 

"And  my  Lord  Daniel  and  Shaphat  ?  "  answered  the 
other,  grieving  to  find  three,  not  five. 


332  BELSHAZZAE, 

"In  the  Lord  God's  keeping,"  was  the  solemn 
answer  ;  no  time  for  more.  "  Save  yourselves,  for 
all  Babylon  will  ring  with  this,  and  rigorous  search 
be  made." 

"  Farewell !  "  The  strange  forms  vanished  in  the 
darkness.  A  cry  was  rising  from  the  gate  :  "  Trea 
son  !  Escaped !  The  guards  are  drugged !  Pur 
sue  !  "  Darius  had  leaped,  and  felt  betwixt  his 
knees  a  blooded  Assyrian  horse.  The  Jews  had 
mounted.  The  three  together  felt  the  good  steeds 
spring  under  them.  Down  the  brick-paved  way  they 
flew,  whirl  wind- swift,  the  reins  lying  slack  on  the 
manes.  The  portal  of  Nimitti-Bel,  closed  and 
guarded  only  in  actual  siege,  stood  wide  before 
them.  They  saw  it  come  and  saw  it  vanish.  Shouts 
behind,  and  a  raging  gallop  also  ;  but  Darius  knew 
a  horse  by  a  touch,  and  he  knew  the  best  in  Bel- 
shazzar's  stables  might  run  long  before  breasting  the 
Assyrian  that  was  speeding  beneath  him.  Before 
the  three  spread  the  Chaldean  plain-country,  lulled 
by  the  moon  into  that  last  hush  before  the  bursting 
dawn.  They  heard  the  pursuers  follow  a  little  way, 
then  deeper  silence.  The  Babylonians  had  found 
their  chase  was  vain.  The  three  rode  for  a  long 
time  without  speech.  Once  Darius  glanced  across 
his  shoulder — walls,  palaces,  temple-towers,  had  sunk 
to  a  shapeless  haze.  He  had  left  "  The  Lady  of 
Kingdoms,"  "The  Beauty  of  the  Chaldees."  Stars 
and  moon  above,  a  soft  west  wind,  and  the  sleeping 
country  —  that  was  all.  But  a  strange  exhilaration 


BELSHAZZAR  PUESUES  IN   VAIN        333 

possessed  the  prince.  He  was  saved  ;  he  was  free  ; 
he  had  still  the  might  of  his  good  right  arm,  the 
keenness  of  his  unerring  eye. 

"  Hebrews  !  "  he  cried,  tossing  his  head  proudly, 
"  behold  the  man  you  have  plucked  back  from  death 
unto  life.  Hereafter  you  shall  learn  how  the  son  of 
Hystaspes  can  reward  his  preservers  and  their  peo 
ple.  But  now  —  "  he  flung  his  voice  to  the  arching 
heavens  —  "  to  Cyrus  !  to  Cyrus,  the  avenger  of  all 
the  wronged  !  And  then  war  —  for  the  abasing  of 
4  The  Lie,'  and  the  love  and  the  joy  of  Atossa !  " 
******* 
There  had  come  a  Tartar  cavalryman  into  Baby 
lon,  a  small  wiry  man  on  a  bay  horse  fleet  as  Bel's 
lightning  bolt.  When  he  cantered  up  Ai-Bur-Schabu 
Street  and  turned  the  head  of  his  Scythian  toward 
the  king's  house,  a  great  crowd  had  gaped  at  him. 
"  This,"  ran  the  whisper,  "  was  the  bearer  of  the  last 
message  from  Cyrus  before  the  bursting  of  war !  " 
He  had  ridden  straight  up  to  the  palace  gate,  and 
flung  his  lance  against  the  bronze-faced  doors,  turned 
the  head  of  his  steed,  and  galloped  headlong  from 
the  city,  no  man  molesting.  Thrust  on  the  head 
of  the  lance  was  a  leaf  of  papyrus,  and  they  had 
brought  the  letter  to  Belshazzar,  after  which  he  and 
his  ministers  wagged  their  heads  in  long  debate. 

"  Thus  says  Cyrus,  King  of  Nations,  to  Belshazzar  his  per 
jured  and  unfaithful  slave.  Your  guile  and  your  plot  is  known 
unto  me.  Would  you  live  and  not  die?  Disband  then  your 
armies  ;  throw  down  your  walls  ;  send  me  your  treasure,  and 


334  BELSHAZZAK 

your  choicest  harem  women }  likewise  restore  unharmed  my 
daughter  and  the  Prince  Darius,  my  servant.  But  if  you  do 
otherwise,  behold !  I  will  make  Babylon  as  Nineveh,  a  dwelling 
for  starving  wolves ;  and  as  for  you,  I  will  cut  off  your  ears  and 
nose,  and  chain  you  forty  days  at  rny  palace  door,  that  other 
perjurers  may  see  and  tremble,  and  after  that  you  shall  be 
crucified.  Farewell." 

When  this  was  read  Avil  cried  out  to  burn  the  last 
bridge  and  cast  Darius's  head  into  the  Persian  camp. 
So  would  Babylon  be  goaded  on  to  resistance  to  the 
end.  But  the  king  had  shaken  his  head.  "The 
prince  was  a  hostage,"  —  he  repeated  the  word 
often,  —  "  Cyrus  would  never  dare  to  pass  beyond 
threats."  Therefore  the  ministers  departed  and 
Belshazzar  sought  to  drown  his  fears  in  wine.  He 
had  called  for  Atossa  to  come  and  drink  with  him. 
He  told  her  brutally,  as  if  she  had  not  heard 
it  before,  how  the  game  stood  betwixt  him  and 
her  father.  When  the  colour  mounted  her  white 
cheek  he  brayed  with  laughter ;  when  it  fled  he  had 
new  jeers.  To  save  the  life  of  Darius,  he  asked  her, 
would  she  not  write  in  her  own  hand  to  Cyrus,  and 
warn  him  to  postpone  the  war?  But  Belshazzar, 
who  had  known  only  the  simpering  women  of  his 
seraglio,  was  cowed  at  the  burst  of  womanly  passion 
he  had  raised.  Under  his  blows  the  sparks  flew 
from  the  anvil,  and  that  anvil  was  Atossa. 

"  I  am  Persian,  O  4  Fiend-lover,'  "  and  Atossa  stood 
before  him  raised  to  queenly  height ;  "  kings  were 
my  ancestors,  men  beloved  and  prospered  of  Ahura. 
When  the  Assyrian  oppressed  my  people,  he  sank 


BELSHAZZAB,   PUBSUES   IK  VAIN        335 

back  smitten.  Where  now  is  Croesus  the  Lydian, 
or  Astyages  the  Mede,  who  defied  Cyrus  my  father  ? 
Sooner  let  your  lions  growl  above  my  bones,  than 
a  daughter  of  Cyrus  make  herself  wax  to  such  as 
you !  " 

"  But  you  have  loved  Darius,"  the  king  protested, 
sorely  abashed ;  "  I  saw  you  in  his  arms  in  the 
Gardens." 

"  Yes,"  —  Atossa's  anger  was  becoming  terrible,  — 
"  I  have  loved  him.  But  I  do  not  love  his  poor  body 
more  than  his  Aryan  honour.  To  us  death  and  life 
may  be  a  very  little  thing ;  but  outrage,  insult,  oath- 
breaking  —  Ahura  may  forgive  such  things,  not 
we!" 

"  Out  of  my  sight,  woman !  "  thundered  Bel- 
shazzar;  and  he  had  spurned  her.  The  eunuchs 
took  her  away.  The  king  drank  alone,  draining 
goblet  after  goblet  of  the  most  heady  "  Elamite  "  ; 
but  though  he  wished  it,  he  could  not  grow  drunken. 
His  body  eunuchs  put  him  to  bed.  He  tossed  long 
on  the  India- web  pillows  and  the  Sidonian  purple. 
They  had  bathed  his  feet  in  perfumed  water  at  last, 
and  very  late  he  fell  asleep.  The  little  group  of 
servants  had  gathered  outside  the  door  of  the 
chamber,  squatting  in  silence  on  the  tiles,  each 
inwardly  blessing  some  god  that  he  had  been  spared 
the  royal  wrath  that  day.  .  .  . 

Midnight.  The  king  turned  once  on  his  pillows, 
and  the  eunuchs'  hearts  commenced  quaking. 
Anew  he  slept  soundly,  and  they  were  again  re- 


336  BELSHAZZAR 

joiced.  .  .  .  But  what  was  this  hasting  of  feet 
on  the  stairway,  this  thundering  summons  to  the 
guard  below  not  to  hinder  ?  "  The  king  !  The 
king  !  "  Sirusur  the  Tartan  was  before  the  eunuchs, 
sword  drawn,  fully  armed. 

"  Rouse  his  Majesty,"  commanded  the  general, 
halting  his  run.  "  Rouse  instantly !  Darius  the 
Persian  is  fled  !  " 

A  eunuch  stood  by  the  bedside,  awoke  the  king, 
and  told  him.  The  fellow  had  vowed  a  sheep  to 
Samas,  but  the  god  did  not  favour.  The  king  caught 
the  short  sword,  ever  ready,  and  smote  the  messen 
ger  of  ill  tidings  to  the  floor.  Then  he  raged  from 
the  chamber,  and  even  Sirusur  fell  on  his  knees, 
cowering,  for  the  king's  wrath  passed  that  of 
bayed  lions. 

"  Not  I  —  O  awarder  of  life  !  I  was  not  guards- 
captain  ;  no  blame  is  mine  !  "  The  general's  teeth 
chattered  as  he  spoke. 

"  Who  commanded  the  watch  ?  "  came  from  Bel- 
shazzar,  in  a  voice  betokening  the  bolt  impending. 

"  Zikha,  4  captain  of  a  thousand.'  " 

"  Go  you,"  Belshazzar  addressed  Mermaza ;  "  have 
a  stake  made  ready.  Let  Zikha  be  impaled  at 
dawn.  And  now,  Sirusur,  where  is  the  fugitive  ? 
By  Istar,  you  deserve  death  likewise !  Whither 
fled  ?  Is  pursuit  made  ?  Speak,  as  you  love  life  !  " 

"  He  fled  by  the  tunnel,  lord.  The  guards  were 
drugged.  Traitors  aided.  Daniel  fled  with  them 
also,  but  he  has  been  retaken," 


BELSHAZZAR  PURSUES   IN  VAIN        337 

"Daniel?  Nam  tar,  the  plague-fiend,  destroy 
him  !  Is  the  tunnel  flooded  ?  " 

"Not  so  wrathful,  lord."  Sirusur  was  still 
trembling.  "  Your  slaves  did  all  in  their  power. 
The  old  man  Daniel  remained  in  the  entrance  to 
the  tunnel  with  Shaphat,  his  one-time  accuser  ;  they 
made  desperate  resistance." 

"  Shaphat  defend  Daniel  ?  You  are  mad,  Si 
rusur." 

"  Alas  !  no.  Shaphat  slew  with  his  own  hand 
two  men,  and  as  Bel  reigns  his  master  fought  val 
iantly  as  Gilgamesh  the  hero.  You  will  not  believe 
there  was  such  might  in  so  old  an  arm.  We  killed 
Shaphat  at  last,  and  disarmed  Daniel,  after  nearly 
every  man  in  the  squad  had  his  wound.  Then 
finally  we  were  able  to  flood  the  tunnel,  but  I  fear 
too  late.  The  Persian  had  a  long  start.  The  exit 
is  poorly  guarded.  The  bridge  is  raised,  so  we 
sent  "soldiers  across  the  river  by  boat.  Nergal 
grant  they  nip  Darius  ere  he  pass  the  city  gate  !  " 

"  Bring  Daniel  the  Jew  before  me  !  "  and  Bel- 
shazzar's  teeth  shone  white,  hateful.  The  men 
obeyed  silently.  The  king  stood  in  the  palace 
gallery,  the  light  of  one  red  torch  touching  the 
blood  of  the  slaughtered  eunuch  on  his  sword-blade. 
The  anger  on  his  face  was  fearful.  The  old  Jew's 
dress  had  been  torn  to  shreds,  his  white  hair  fouled 
by  blood  and  mire,  his  left  arm  hung  limp  at  his 
side.  Two  petty  officers  upbore  him.  They 
thought  to  hear  Belshazzar  cry  "Slay"  at  first 


338  BELSHAZZAE, 

sight ;  but  the  king  reined  his  passion  enough  to 
taunt  bitterly  :  — 

"  Ha  !  is  it  custom  to  quit  the  king's  house  with  so 
scant  leave-taking  ?  " 

The  old  man  shook  back  his  bloody  locks  and 
looked  straight  into  Belshazzar's  rage-shot  eyes. 
"  As  you  have  kept  faith  to  me  and  mine,  so  have  I 
to  you,  O  king  !  " 

"  Revile  me  now  ! "  Belshazzar's  sword  whistled 
as  he  brandished.  Before  a  mere  reed  Daniel 
might  have  winced  not  less. 

"  I  do  not  revile.  True  servant  have  I  been  to 
you  and  your  fathers.  My  reward  is  this  ! "  He 
held  up  his  right  arm,  with  the  red  ring  marked 
by  the  fetter. 

"  And  this  "  —  Belshazzar  swung  the  sword  higher 
—  "one  last  mercy  —  death." 

But  Daniel  had  shaken  off  the  soldiers.  He  stood 
erect.  Some  power  from  his  eyes  stayed  that  up 
raised  hand  as  by  a  spell.  "  No,  lord  of  the  Chal- 
dees  !  You  cannot  kill  me,  nor  all  your  sword- 
hands,  for  I  am  mightier  than  they." 

They  heard  the  king  laugh,  but  —  wonder  of  won 
ders  —  the  weapon  sank  at  his  side. 

"  Sorcerer  !  By  what  magic  can  you  make  your 
old  neck  proof  ?  " 

Belshazzar  had  moved  two  steps  backward,  turn 
ing  his  head  to  escape  the  Hebrew's  compelling 
gaze,  but  could  not  ;  and  he  watched  with  a  fasci 
nated,  uneasy  smile. 


BELSHAZZAK  PURSUES   IN   VAIN        339 

"  O  king,  as  in  former  days  the  word  of  Jehovah, 
One  and  All-powerful  God,  spoke  through  my  lips 
to  Nebuchadnezzar  the  Great,  so  now  again  His 
spirit  comes  upon  me,  and  puts  these  words  into  my 
mouth.  And  this  is  the  word,"  —  Belshazzar  was 
uttering  a  formula  against  the  evil  eye,  but  he 
could  not  look  away, —  "There  shall  come  a  time 
when  I,  whom  all  your  wrath  cannot  destroy,  shall 
stand  again  before  you,  shall  declare  to  you  the 
mandate  of  Jehovah,  and  when  you  and  with  you 
all  the  world  shall  know  that  whom  He  wills  He 
saves,  whom  He  wills  He  lays  low,  and  whoso  blas 
phemes  Him  He  rewards  utterly ;  that  all  may 
fear  the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  before  whom  Bel-Mar- 
duk  is  less  than  the  small  grains  of  the  threshing- 
floor  !  " 

Then  they  saw  a  strange  thing.  They  saw  Bel 
shazzar,  that  man  of  wrath,  shrink  back  step  by  step 
before  the  blood-grimed,  aged  Jew,  until  from  a 
long  way  off  the  king  laughed  again  a  shrill  and 
direful  laugh  :  "  Away  with  him  !  Back  with  him 
to  his  dungeon  !  Keep  him  fast,  till  he  longs  for 
death,  till  he  knows  that  his  puny  god  is  helpless 
before  Bel-Marduk  !  " 

But  all  the  strength  seemed  passed  out  of  Daniel. 
The  soldiers  caught  him  as  he  fell.  The  king  was 
staring  wildly  from  one  servant  to  another  ;  he  was 
as  a  man  awakened  from  a  frightful  dream. 

"  Wine  !  "  he  demanded.  "  I  cannot  sleep.  Do 
you,  Sirusur,  pursue  the  Persian.  Hound  him 


340  BELSHAZZAR, 

down.  But  wine,  more  wine  !  My  head  throbs  !  " 
His  gaze  wandered  ;  he  in  turn  was  tottering. 

"The  king  is  ill,"  declared  Mermaza,  just  re 
turned  ;  "  bear  him  back  to  his  bed." 

"  Allat  consume  you,  eunuch  !  "  Belshazzar 
buffeted  him  in  the  face.  Then  the  royal  gaze  lit 
again  on  Daniel. 

"  Off  !  Off  !  What  hinders  that  I  kill  you  ? 
All  your  babbling  is  folly.  You  shall  cry  to  your 
Jehovah  many  times,  and  cry  in  vain  !  " 

The  aged  prisoner  shook  off  the  soldiers  ;  once 
more  he  stood  fast.  "Remember  the  prophecy, 
King  of  Babylon  !  Remember  !  You  shall  with 
your  own  lips  summon  me ;  with  your  own  tongue 
pray  to  me  ;  with  your  own  hands  stretch  forth  im 
ploring  me  to  speak  the  mandate  of  the  God  you 
now  blaspheme  !  " 

"  Silence,  dotard  !  "  Belshazzar  smote  the  captive 
on  the  mouth.  Then  again  the  king  reeled,  and 
did  not  resist  when  Mermaza  caught  him.  The 
eunuchs  carried  him  to  bed.  A  frightened  page 
roused  the  Egyptian  court  physician.  "Raging 
fever,"  quoth  that  wise  man  gravely,  and  ordered 
"poultices  of  lotus  leaves,  well  soaked  in  lizards' 
blood  and  in  the  fat  of  sucking  pigs'  ears."  Before 
long  the  king  was  in  violent  delirium  ;  his  servants 
had  to  hold  him  on  his  bed,  while  he  made  the  cham 
ber  ring  as  he  cursed  them.  But  one  word  was 
uppermost  in  the  royal  mind  as  he  raved  —  "  Jeho 
vah,  Jehovah  I  "  When  he  repeated  the  word  he 


BELSHAZZAR  PURSUES   IN  VAIN        341 

would  foam  in  hate.  "  Let  me  master  Cyrus  ;  let 
me  conquer  in  the  war,  and  I  swear  by  every  god 
and  every  fiend  it  shall  be  safer  in  Babylon  to  do 
murder  by  open  day  than  to  whisper  the  name  of 
that  foul  spirit  before  me  !  " 

Avil-Marduk  smiled  grimly  when  the  next  morn 
ing  they  told  him  of  the  king's  oath,  taken  in  mad 
ness. 

"  Ah,  well,"  declared  the  pontiff,  "  happy  for  pure 
religion  if  his  Majesty  keeps  this  pious  frame  of 
mind  when  heaven  gives  back  health.  Yet  he  did 
ill  when  he  spared  Daniel.  The  Jew  will  be  harm 
less  in  only  one  prison  —  the  grave  !  " 

But  long  since  Daniel  had  been  thrust  back  into 
a  dungeon,  scarcely  less  noisome  than  that  which  he 
had  quitted.  Ten  armed  men  stood  by  when  they 
replaced  the  fetters,  all  fearful  of  some  withering 
spell ;  and  the  sentries  pacing  the  galleries  mum 
bled  incantations  to  Nineb  and  to  Ilu,  shuddering 
every  time  they  caught  a  glitter  from  the  terrible 
Hebrew's  eye. 


THE  KING  AND  THE  FATHER 


CHAPTER  XXII 

THE  Persian  army  lay  in  the  plain  before  the 
captured  Kutha.  Far  as  the  eye  might  reach, 
it  touched  only  avenues  of  black  camel's-hair  tents, 
sprinkled  with  the  gaudier  red  and  blue  of  the 
princes'  pavilions.  The  gloaming  was  at  hand,  the 
first  stars  budding  ;  all  around  myriad  red  sparks 
were  twinkling  forth — the  camp-fires  of  the  host  of 
the  Aryans.  Over  their  drink  the  stout  Median 
footmen  and  Scythian  horse-archers  were  roaring 
out  pledges  —  "  Confusion  to  Belshazzar  and  destruc 
tion  to  his  city  !  "  For  if  there  was  one  thing  the 
hearts  of  the  soldiers  lusted  after,  it  was  to  see  the 
walls  of  Imgur  and  Nimitti-Bel.  But  the  army  had 
waited  inactive  for  days,  and  save  for  petty  skirmish 
ings  had  scarcely  sped  an  arrow.  "Negotiations," 
grumbled  some  wiseacres  ;  and  others  would  answer, 
"The  Father  (meaning  no  one  less  than  their 
august  king)  will  not  cast  away  all  hopes  of  saving 
Prince  Darius."  Whereupon  comrades  would  shake 
their  heads  gloomily,  "  We  shall  see  the  prince,  in 
this  world  —  never!"  Then  the  banter,  even  of 
veterans,  would  lag,  for  Darius  was  the  darling 
of  the  army. 

342 


THE  KING  AND   THE  FATHER          343 

So  throughout  the  black  tents.  And  in  that  vil 
lage  of  pavilions,  of  guardsmen  and  grooms  and 
chamberlains,  where  the  king  found  lodging,  there 
was  no  common  gloom  that  night.  For  Cyrus  sat 
alone  in  the  innermost  tent,  and  refused  all  drink 
and  food.  This  was  the  fortieth  night,  on  which 
Isaiah  had  promised  to  return  with  Darius,  and 
naught  had  been  seen  or  heard  of  the  Jew  since  he 
had  quitted  Susa.  Atrobanes,  "the  bearer  of  the 
royal  handkerchief,"  and  the  attendant  with  whom 
Cyrus  was  most  familiar,  had  ventured  once  to  enter 
the  tent,  and  light  the  tall  silver  candelabra.  There 
was  the  master  on  the  high  ivory  throne,  looking 
straight  before  him  upon  the  rugs,  combing  his 
flowing  beard  with  his  right  hand,  while  his  left 
gripped  hard  on  the  jewelled  hilt  at  his  side. 

"  Lord,"  Atrobanes  had  ventured,  kneeling,  "  the 
feast  in  the  banqueting  tent  is  ready.  The  Princes 
Harpagus  and  Gobryas  and  the  other  captains  have 
come,  for  you  deigned  to  command  that  they  should 
eat  meat  with  you  this  evening." 

No  answer.  Cyrus  was  still  looking  straight 
before. 

"  Live  forever,  O  king,"  began  Atrobanes  again. 
An  angry  exclamation  cut  him  short.  For  Cyrus  to 
be  in  wrath  was  so  unwonted  that  the  attendant 
trembled. 

"  Live  forever  ?  Are  you  mad  ?  Is  life  so 
utterly  sweet,  that  one  may  never  long  to  lay  it 
down  ?  " 


344  BELSHAZZAR 

"  Mercy,  lord  of  all  goodness ;  mercy  ! "  pro 
tested  the  shivering  servant. 

"  By  Mithra,  you  are  frightened."  Cyrus  laughed 
softly  ;  it  seemed  more  in  melancholy  than  in  mirth. 
"  I  meant  nothing  ;  I  scarce  knew  that  you  were 
here.  What  is  your  wish  ?  " 

"  Will  the  king  condescend  to  be  present  at  the 
feast  appointed  for  to-night  to  the  captains  of  the 
army  ?  " 

A  weary  sigh,  and  more  silence.  Then  Cyrus 
replied,  almost  bitterly,  "  Would  to  Ahura  I  had  not 
ordered  it !  How  can  I  sit  over  wine  this  night  ? 
Yet  I  must  not  dishonour  the  princes.  Go  to  the 
high  steward  and  say  that  I  can  touch  no  food, 
though  I  thank  him  for  his  pains.  Yet  say  that 
when  the  evening  advances,  and  the  wine  is  brought, 
I  will  come  and  sit  with  the  captains." 

"  And  the  king  requires  nothing  for  himself  ?  " 

"  Only  this  —  that  you  leave  me." 

Atrobanes  kissed  the  cushioned  footstool  at  his 
master's  feet,  and  vanished  behind  the  heavy  dra 
peries.  There  was  profound  stillness,  save  for  the 
vague  hum  of  the  busy  camp  and  the  clatter  of  plate 
and  dishes  many  hands  were  bearing  to  the  banquet 
ing  tent.  The  king  sat  for  a  long  time  motionless, 
the  grip  on  the  sword-hilt  ever  tightening.  Then, 
letting  the  weapon  rest,  he  fumbled  in  his  bosom, 
drew  forth  a  locket,  and  gazed  on  it  as  on  treasure 
untold.  "  The  locket  of  Atossa.  It  has  been  close 
against  her  own  pure  breast."  He  pressed  it  to  his 


THE   KING  AND  THE  FATHER  345 

lips,  once,  twice,  thrust  it  back  in  his  mantle,  slipped 
from  the  high  seat,  and  began  treading  to  and  fro, 
his  feet  noiseless  on  the  carpets. 

"  Live  forever,  O  king,  O  lord  of  all  goodness ! 
Live  forever !  "  As  he  repeated  the  words  he  was 
smiling,  but  not  with  mirth.  "  Praised  be  the  All- 
Merciful,  these  flatteries  are  but  flatteries,  nothing 
more  !  " 

Voices  sounded  at  the  tent  door. 

"I  come  to  report  to  the  king  from  Artaphernes, 
commander  of  the  skirmishers." 

"Unless  you  have  definite  news,  his  Majesty  is 
not  to  be  troubled." 

"  Wait,  then ;  I  have  only  to  declare  that  our 
scouts  bring  in  nothing." 

The  pacings  of  the  king  grew  swift  and  feverish. 

"  Nothing,  nothing ;  well,  it  was  to  be  expected. 
Are  you  waxed  so  old,  Cyrus,  son  of  Cambyses,  that 
you  will  pin  your  faith  on  an  open  face  and  a  ready 
tongue?  The  Jew  spoke  fair,  but  is  like  all  men  of 
every  race  saving  our  own  —  a  liar.  If  he  but  come 
within  my  power  after  betraying  thus  —  " 

There  was  a  javelin  standing  against  a  tent-pole  ; 
the  king  grasped  and  almost  poised  it.  But  the 
royal  mood  shifted ;  Cyrus  replaced  the  weapon,  and 
ran  on,  communing  with  himself  darkly :  — 

"  I  am  lord  of  a  million  sword-hands ;  at  my  word 
nations  sink  down  in  ruin.  Men  worship  me  as  being 
a  god  on  earth.  Holy  Ahura,  when  Thou  madest 
me  king,  why  did  I  not  cease  to  be  a  man  ;  why 


346  BELSHAZZAR 

could  I  not  cease  loving,  losing,  longing?  The  gar 
ment  of  life  is  woven  of  the  same  stuff,  whether  for 
the  vilest  slave  or  the  lord  of  the  Aryans.  I  have 
godlike  powers,  but  I  am  miserable !  " 

A  noise  without  —  the  sentries  passing  the  watch 
word  for  the  night,  as  they  changed  the  guard, 
"  Vengeance  for  Darius  !  "  Again  the  king  touched 
the  javelin. 

"  Of  course  the  Jew  failed,  and  that  without  play 
ing  falsely.  His  project  was  a  mad  one.  Darius 
has  long  since  died  under  Belshazzar's  torments. 
Died;  ay,  and  by  Mithra  the  c&cva-smiter,  the 
watchword  shall  not  prove  vain  I  Men  call  me 
merciful;  but  to  the  son  of  Nabonidus  and  all  his 
perjured  brood,  Angra-Mainyu,  the  arch-fiend,  and 
his  demons  shall  seem  more  compassionate  than  I. 
But  ah!  though  I  slay  all  Babylon,  I  may  not 
breathe  life  into  one  form  once  stilled,  nor  woo  back 
a  loved  spirit  with  all  the  rubies  of  Ecbatana !  " 

Again  a  voice  at  the  tent  door,  and  Cyrus,  recog 
nizing,  commanded,  "  Enter." 

Hystaspes  passed  within.  The  prince  was  in  his 
coat  of  shining  scale  armour,  for  years  had  not  made 
him  too  feeble  to  keep  the  saddle.  The  short  Per 
sian  spear  was  in  his  hand,  the  sword  dangled  at  his 
thigh.  The  king  attempted  to  brighten  before  his 
friend,  and  threw  out  boldly  :  — 

"  Well,  comrade,  has  not  the  country  been  scoured, 
and  all  the  farms  so  well  sacked,  that  a  man  of  your 
hale  years  need  ride  with  the  skirmishers  ?  " 


THE   KING  AND   THE   FATHER          347 

The  other  laughed,  though  none  too  heartily. 

"  The  young  hotbloods  who  lead  your  Majesty's 
cavalry  troops  are  all  valour  and  no  prudence.  An 
older  eye  is  needed  to  see  that  Sirusur  with  his  Baby 
lonish  chariots  does  not  dash  down  on  us  unawares, 
and  fling  us,  man  and  beast,  into  the  Tigris." 

"  Caution,  always  caution,"  answered  the  king, 
with  an  impatient  gesture,  when  the  other  attempted 
to  salaam.  "  Come,  you  have  no  longing  for  the  feast. 
Let  tables  be  brought  here.  I  have  only  promised 
to  appear  at  the  banquet  when  they  serve  the  wine." 

"  Your  Majesty  is  thrice  kind ;  a  thousand  par 
dons,  but  for  some  reason  I  cannot  eat.  Perhaps  I 
have  ridden  too  long  ;  as  you  say,  I  grow  old." 

But  the  king  plucked  him  nigh  roughly  by  the 
shoulder. 

"No,  you  cannot  eat,  nor  can  I.  Away  with 
merry  lips,  when  they  speak  from  grieving  hearts. 
Darius,  your  son,  is  not  here.  We  were  fools  to 
trust  the  Jew,  who  has  either  failed  or  dealt  falsely. 
Yet  we  must  eat,  must  eat  heartily  —  you  and  I — 
and  all." 

"  Does  the  king  command  that  I  feast  against  my 
will  ?  " 

"  Yes  ;  for  if  Darius  is  dead,  Belshazzar  lives,  and 
all  the  asps  of  his  guilty  kind.  And  we  need  all 
our  strength  for  a  vengeance,  the  fame  whereof  shall 
last  as  long  as  Mithra's  car  glows  in  the  heavens." 

"  Ah  !  lord,  not  so  bitterly.  I  am  the  father,  yet 
I  can  bow  to  Ahura's  will  !  " 


348  BELSHAZZAR, 

"  But  I,  the  king,  who  sent  Darius  forth,  and  sped 
him  to  his  death,  find  like  submission  hard.  For  the 
king  shall  answer  on  the  Great  Day  for  the  blood  of 
all  his  people  !  " 

"  I  do  not  blame  your  Majesty." 

"Nor  does  any  man."  Cyrus  smote  his  own 
breast.  "  The  voice  that  blames  is  here." 

But  as  he  spoke  a  strange  sound  was  spreading  in 
the  camp,  a  roaring  as  of  wind,  though  very  far 
away. 

"  An  alarm  !  "  and  Hystaspes  started  from  the 
tent. 

"  Alarm  ?  No  such  outcry  ;  the  soldiers  are  at 
some  sport." 

Yet  still  the  sound  was  rising  —  was  swelling 
nearer  ;  and  now  they  caught,  as  it  seemed,  the 
clamour  of  countless  voices. 

"  Alarm  surely  !  I  must  seek  my  post !  "  Again 
Hystaspes  started  from  the  tent ;  but  the  king 
gripped  his  arm  with  so  tight  a  clutch  that  it 
brought  almost  pain. 

"Hystaspes," — Cyrus  spoke  in  a  hoarse  whisper, 

—  "this  sound  —  comes  it  from  men  or  from  angels 

—  is  a  shout  of  joy,  not  of  fear  ! " 

Then  they  stood  side  by  side,  those  strong  men, 
and  listened  ;  for  a  mighty  tumult  was  swelling 
through  the  camp,  passing  onward,  nearer,  nearer, 
rising  and  falling  like  the  wind-driven  billow  bound 
ing  across  the  deep.  Now  the  distant  encampment 
of  the  Tartar  Sacaeans  was  thundering,  now  the  Bac- 


THE   KING  AND   THE   FATHER  349 

trians  and  the  Medes  ;  closer  now,  it  had  reached 
the  Persians,  the  core  of  the  army,  and  the  "  Immor 
tals,"  the-  royal  life-guards,  were  tossing  on  the  cry. 
Then  through  the  cheering  the  two  heard  something 
else  —  riders  galloping  fiercely ;  and  words  came  at 
last,  the  shout  of  the  captains  and  lords  about  the 
tent  of  the  king. 

"  The  prince  !     The  prince  !     Glory  to  Ahura  ! " 

The  high  chamberlain  had  entered.  When  he 
salaamed  he  stumbled.  His  ready  tongue  spoke 
thickly. 

"Font  of  all  goodness,"  he  began;  but  Cyrus  did 
not  hear.  Straight  through  the  door  strode  the 
king,  and  into  the  throng  of  officers  in  the  tent 
without.  They  parted  to  either  hand  at  sight  of 
him,  like  sand  before  the  desert  gale.  Inside  the 
pavilion  itself  a  score  of  joyous  hands  were  plucking 
from  his  steaming  beast  a  young  man,  who  started, 
tattered,  dust-covered  as  he  was,  to  kneel  before  the 
sovereign.  Started  :  but  Cyrus  beckoned  him  on, 
and  spoke  before  them  all  :  — 

"  Here  is  only  the  king  ;  within  your  father  waits" 

So  Darius  was  gone,  with  no  man  following  him. 
Then  two  more  newcomers  were  led  forward,  and 
bowed  themselves  to  Cyrus,  who  saw  that  they  were 
Isaiah  and  a  stranger,  though  clearly  a  Jew  also. 

"Lord,"  Isaiah  was  saying,  "behold  my  pledge 
fulfilled.  This  is  the  fortieth  night,  and  your  eyes 
see  Darius." 

But  Cyrus  would  hear  no  more. 


360  BELSHAZZAE 

"  Stand  up,  son  of  Shadrach,  for  the  pledge  is 
indeed  made  good.  Look  on  this  man,  captains  of 
the  Aryans  ;  honour  him  as  you  would  honour  your 
king,  for  he  has  brought  joy  out  of  anguish,  brought 
life  out  of  death.  Take  him  away,  Hydarnes,"  — 
with  a  nod  to  the  "master  of  the  royal  dresses,"  — 
"clothe  him  in  a  robe  of  state;  give  him  the  wine 
and  dainties  you  would  give  to  me  ;  in  the  morning 
put  the  kingly  tiara  upon  his  head,  mount  him  upon 
my  sacred  Nisyean  charger,  and  lead  him  through  the 
host,  proclaiming  to  all  men,  c  This  is  the  Jew  who 
is  honoured  by  Cyrus  !  ' 

"  Hail  !  all  hail,  Isaiah,  justly  honoured  of  the 
Great  King  !  " 

So  thundered  an  hundred  ;  yet  when  there  was 
stillness,  Isaiah  answered  humbly,  yet  boldly,  "  Lord, 
I  despise  not  your  gifts  and  your  honours  ;  but  it  was 
not  for  even  this  that  Zerubbabel,  my  comrade,  and  I 
plucked  the  prince  out  of  the  dungeon  and  the  clutch 
of  Belshazzar." 

Cyrus  shook  his  stately  head  and  smiled. 

"  Ah  !  good  Jew,"  spoke  he,  "  do  you  think  the 
promises  of  the  Persians  are  pledges  graven  on 
water?  Fear  not  that  your  people  will  find  the 
king  of  the  Aryans  aught  but  a  father  and  a  friend. 
But  enough  —  you  have  ridden  hard  and  far  ;  rest 
for  to-night  shall  be  the  first  reward.  Lead  them 
away,  Hydarnes,  and  give  this  other,  Zerubbabel,  ten 
talents  also." 

But  Isaiah  did  not  follow  the  chamberlain. 


THE   KING   AND   THE  FATHEB  351 

"Your  Majesty," — he  fell  on  one  knee,  —  "I 
bring  you  not  Prince  Darius  only.  I  bring  you 
this." 

He  drew  from  his  girdle  and  proffered  a  tiny  clay 
cylinder,  scarce  the  thickness  of  two  fingers.  The 
king  grasped  it,  eagerly  as  the  drowning  clutch 
after  the  float.  They  saw  him  read,  and  lo,  a  mar 
vellous  thing  !  the  eyes  of  the  master  of  half  the 
nations  were  bright  with  tears.  Thus  ran  the 
letter  :  — 

"Atossa  in  Babylon,  to  Cyrus,  lord  of  the  Aryans: 
"  I  know  that  you  must  be  first  the  king  and  then  the  father. 
Yet  when  you  sent  me  from  Susa,  did  you  send  me  to  this  —  to 
loathsome  bondage,  to  be  queen  in  name  only,  to  be  the  toy  of 
a  man  of  wrath  and  guile,  and  the  pledge  of  a  peace  sworn  only 
to  be  broken  ?  Come  to  me,  my  father,  for  I  am  of  your  own 
proud  blood.  Let  other  kings'  daughters  learn  a  master's  yoke  ; 
a  child  of  yours  must  be  the  mistress,  or  must  die.  Heaven 
favouring,  the  noble  Isaiah  will  save  Darius,  whom  I  love ;  but 
I,  who  cannot  fly,  can  only  pray  for  the  hour  when  the  swords 
of  my  people  shall  flash  within  this  accursed  city.  Yet  save 
speedily;  for  the  time  grows  near  when  I  shall  be  Belshazzar's 
bride  in  very  deed.  Farewell." 

"  Did  you  penetrate  the  harem  of  Belshazzar  ?  " 
asked  Cyrus,  his  voice  unsteady. 

"Yes,  your  Majesty  ;  I  have  seen  the  most  gra 
cious  princess.  Belshazzar  triumphs  in  holding  the 
child  of  his  arch-enemy  captive.  To  force  her  to 
his  bridal  will  be  his  joy.  And  in  three  months  he 
will  celebrate  another  feast  —  the  wedding  one  year 
from  the  betrothal." 

"  Then  in  three  months  Babylon  is  to  be  taken  ?  " 


352  BELSHAZZAE, 

"  The  king  has  said.  Belshazzar  will  risk  little  in 
the  field.  He  boasts  his  walls  will  mock  your 
armies  seven  years,  and  yet  be  strong." 

"  And  you  say  that  he  boasts  well  ?  "  urged  Cyrus, 
shrewdly. 

"  Lord,  I  only  know  that  speaking  from  human 
wisdom,  there  may  be  doors  to  Babylon  Belshazzar 
little  dreams  of ;  and  speaking  from  the  voice 
within  "  —  Isaiah's  own  voice  rose,  and  he  swept  his 
hand  proudly — "  the  promise  of  Jehovah  is  yet 
strong,  — '  I,  who  have  prospered  so  far,  and  saved 
from  so  many  perils,  will  still  favour  even  to  the 
end.' " 

"And  favour  He  will  !  "  cried  the  king,  as  in  a 
great  gladness  ;  "  three  months  for  the  might  of  the 
Aryans  to  master  the  '  fiend-servers '  and  their  mute 
brick  and  stone  !  Let  Ahura  lay  on  us  a  harder 
task  !  " 

Then  the  chamberlains  took  the  Jews  away,  and 
forth  from  the  inner  tent  returned  Darius,  who  knelt 
now  at  Cyrus's  feet. 

"  Rise  up,"  the  king  commanded  ;  "  you  also  need 
food  and  sleep.  And  in  the  morning  —  " 

"  What  in  the  morning,  lord  ?  "  cried  the  prince, 
now  standing. 

"  In  the  morning  you  shall  ride  at  the  head  of  the 
van.  But  you  have  won  the  right  to  crave  a  boon 
—  and  ask  it,  whatsoever  you  will." 

"  My  king,"  —  Darius's  voice  was  trembling,  — 
"you  well  know  what  I  would  ask." 


THE  KING  AND  THE  FATHER  353 

Whereupon  Cyrus  only  smiled  once  more,  and 
lifted  his  hand  as  in  an  oath. 

"  By  the  light  of  Ahura  I  swear  it,  that  when  we 
have  conquered  Babylon  and  plucked  Atossa  from 
the  dceva's  clutch,  you  shall  ask  for  her  in  marriage, 
and  I  will  not  say  you  nay." 

Three  nights  later  the  burghers  of  Babylon,  when 
they  mounted  their  house  roofs,  as  was  their  wont  in 
the  cool  of  the  evening,  saw  a  light  that  stilled  the 
bravest  boasters.  East,  west,  and  north  the  horizon 
glowed  with  a  redness  which  shone  ever  brighter, 
ever  nearer,  till  it  climbed  the  heavens.  Rising 
smoke  was  blotting  out  the  stars.  Men  spoke  to 
gether  in  whispers,  as  they  stared  and  shuddered  at 
the  brightness  :  "  The  host  of  Cyrus.  All  the 
country  villages  are  burning.  Marduk  be  praised, 
the  walls  are  yet  strong  !  " 

At  next  morn  the  city  folk  saw  a  sight  yet  more 
terrible.  The  plains  were  covered  with  innumera 
ble  black  tents  and  pavilions,  and  horsemen  more 
than  the  sands  of  the  sea.  The  king  of  the  Aryans 
was  at  hand,  and  with  him  all  the  might  of  the  far 
East.  Imgur-Bel  and  Nimitti-Bel  were  put  to  proof 
at  last. 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  CHALDEES 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

rjlHREE  months  nearly  had  the  host  of  the  Per- 
JL  sians  lain  under  the  walls  of  the  capital.  They 
had  ravaged  far  and  wide,  had  driven  the  country 
folk  by  thousands  inside  the  defences  ;  the  thriving 
villages  were  become  one  blackened  waste.  But  still 
the  great  Euphrates  brawled  through  the  massy 
water  gates ;  still  the  battlements  loomed  unap 
proachable  above  the  besiegers'  heads!  What  had 
Belshazzar  and  his  city  to  fear?  The  battering  ram? 
Let  Cyrus  first  bridge  the  network  of  protecting 
canals,  drain  the  moats,  drive  the  archers  from  the 
walls,  and  establish  his  enginery,  and  then  he  might 
beat  for  months  on  those  mountains  of  brick  and 
accomplish  nothing.  Did  he  trust  to  starvation? 
There  was  corn  enough,  yes,  and  daintier  fare,  to  let 
Babylon  hold  off  famine  three  long  years;  and  be 
sides,  the  gardens  and  orchards  within  the  long  cir 
cuit  of  the  walls  could  in  themselves  supply  a 
multitude.  After  the  first  fright  was  passed  the 
Babylonians  had  ceased  to  tremble  and  gibber,  when 
they  thought  of  the  foe  without  the  gates.  Trade 
was  resumed  in  the  bazaars ;  the  scholars  returned 

354 


BELSHAZZAR   SECURES   HIS   PREY       355 

to  their  schools ;  the  rope-walks,  the  carpet  factories, 
and  the  brass  foundries  were  again  busy.  Merchants 
counted  impatiently  the  days  when  the  interrupted 
caravan  trade  with  Egypt  and  Syria  might  recom 
mence.  Plentiful  stories  were  afloat  that  Cyrus  was 
having  vast  difficulty  in  feeding  the  myriad  mouths 
in  his  army  ;  that  the  Persian  generals  were  at  strife 
amongst  themselves ;  that  revolt  in  Media  and  Car- 
mania  might  send  the  invader  home  discomfited  at 
any  moment.  Therefore  the  worthy  city  folk  had 
advised  one  another  "  patience  " ;  and  behold,  to-day, 
their  waiting  was  rewarded!  A  royal  crier  was 
parading  the  length  of  Nana  Street,  and  his  procla 
mation  was  heard  even  above  the  plaudits  of  the 
crowds  :  — 

"  Rejoice  !  Rejoice,  men  of  Babylon,  city  favoured 
by  Marduk  !  Last  night  the  noble  Sirusur,  4  Master 
of  the  host,'  made  a  sortie  from  the  Gate  of  Borsippa, 
and  smote  the  Persian  barbarians  utterly,  slaying 
hundreds,  and  taking  many  of  their  great  princes 
captive.  This  morning  Cyrus,  the  impious  blas 
phemer  of  our  gods,  being  utterly  discomfited  by 
the  valour  of  his  Majesty's  army,  —  his  generals 
deserting  him,  and  his  kingdoms  of  Media  and  Bac- 
tria  having  rebelled  against  his  tyranny,  —  is  raising 
the  siege  in  all  haste.  His  power  is  destroyed  forever. 
Glory,  glory  to  Bel-Marduk,  to  Istar,  to  Samas,  whose 
favour  is  over  Babylon  !  Rejoice !  Rejoice  ! " 

"  Glory  to  Marduk  !  Glory  to  Belshazzar,  favoured 
son  of  the  almighty  god !  " 


356  BELSHAZZAR 

So  the  thousands  had  hailed  the  glad  tidings,  and 
rushed  with  one  accord  to  the  walls,  to  make  sure 
of  the  news.  Even  so;  the  black  tents  of  the  be 
siegers  were  disappearing.  Already  the  pavilion  of 
Cyrus  had  vanished  behind  the  plains;  the  retreat 
bore  almost  evidence  of  a  rout. 

"  Follow  after !  Destroy  them  utterly  ! "  advised 
the  younger  and  bolder  captains  about  the  exultant 
king,  while  he  surveyed  the  welcome  scene  from  the 
Gate  of  the  Chaldees.  But  Sirusur,  the  victor  of 
the  sortie,  who  next  to  Belshazzar's  self  had  won 
most  glory  in  the  defence,  only  observed,  with  the 
prudent  wisdom  of  the  all-knowing  Ea  :  — 

"Leave  them  alone,  your  Majesty;  the  barbarians 
are  at  strife  among  themselves  :  they  will  soon  turn 
their  swords  on  one  another,  and  so  fight  for  us. 
Our  army  is  weary  with  the  siege,  grant  it  some 
reward  before  we  take  the  field  to  conquer  Cyrus's 
provinces.  Proclaim  a  great  feast  of  thanksgiving 
throughout  Babylon." 

"And  is  it  not  one  year  to-morrow  night,"  de 
manded  the  king,  nothing  loath,  "  since  I  betrothed 
Atossa,  the  daughter  of  Cyrus  ?  " 

"  Even  so,  your  Majesty,"  quoth  Bilsandan  the 
vizier,  at  the  other  elbow. 

Belshazzar  clapped  his  hands  in  right  kingly  glee. 

"  Praised  be  every  god !  Do  you  proclaim  a  feast 
over  the  city  for  to-morrow  and  to-morrow  night. 
Let  Babylon  be  one  house  of  mirth,  for  it  shall  be 
her  king's  triumph  and  wedding-night  together.  Pre- 


BELSHAZZAR   SECURES   HIS   PREY       357 

pare  the  palace  for  a  banquet  such  as  no  king  before 
—  no,  not  Nebuchadnezzar  the  Great — set  for  his 
lords  and  captains ;  there  I  will  drink  wine  before  all 
Babylon,  and  show  forth  the  daughter  of  Cyrus, 
whom  I  take  to  wife." 

Therefore  for  a  second  time  the  crier  had  fared 
through  the  streets,  and  all  Babylon  gave  itself  over 
to  merriment. 

None  did  so  with  a  gladder  heart  than  Itti-Marduk 
the  great  banker.  That  evening,  when  he  sat  with 
Neriglissor  on  his  house  roof,  the  excellent  man 
was  in  a  state  of  enviable  content.  Two  days  before 
he  had  sold  out  a  huge  granary  of  corn  at  half  a 
shekel  on  the  homer 1  above  the  price  it  would  now 
fetch,  the  siege  being  over;  and  when  Neriglissor 
had  examined  the  entrails  of  three  white  geese,  to 
see  if  his  friend  ought  to  risk  a  very  profitable  loan, 
the  omens  had  been  most  happy — the  livers  so  white, 
the  hearts  so  very  large,  that  some  great  advantage 
was  foretokened,  unless  all  faith  in  augury  was  boot 
less.  Therefore  from  business  they  had  passed  to 
small  talk. 

44  Happy  evening  for  Babylon,"  Neriglissor  was 
saying;  "I  did  not  think  Cyrus  would  give  us  the 
back  so  readily." 

"  Or  that  Sirusur  the  general  would  prove  so  val 
iant,  if  the  flying  rumours  had  been  true." 

"  Rumours  ?  "  demanded  the  old  priest ;  "  in  Bel's 
name,  what  rumours  ?  " 

1  About  three  bushel. 


358  BELSHAZZAE 

"  Are  you  so  ignorant  at  the  temple,  as  not  to  know 
the  talk  of  the  city?" 

"  Will  you  slaughter  me,  by  not  telling  ?  " 

The  banker  grew  confidential. 

"  My  dearest  Neriglissor,  surely  you  know  that 
there  have  been  many  tales  afoot  lately  that,  since  the 
day  of  the  great  riot,  and  that  scene  in  his  Majesty's 
council  where  Sirusur  the  general  and  your  own  lord, 
Avil-Marduk,  passed  such  bitter  words,  the  two  have 
been  as  cold  friends  as  a  lamb  and  a  desert  hyena.  I 
have  heard  no  less  than  two  tales,  one  of  which  is 
proved  false,  —  the  gods  know  concerning  the  other, 
not  I." 

"  Well,  tell  them :  I  am  tortured  by  curiosity." 

"The  first  is  that  Sirusur  the  Tartan  and  Bil- 
sandan  the  vizier  fear  the  hostility  of  Avil  and  his 
influence  over  Belshazzar  so  much,  that,  rather  than 
see  him  wax  in  power,  they  prefer  to  open  the  gates 
to  Cyrus." 

"  A  lie !  Sirusur  s  valour  in  the  sortie  proved  it 
so." 

Itti  let  his  head  come  yet  closer  to  the  priest's  as 
they  sat  together ;  his  gaze  was  shrewd  and  penetrat 
ing. 

"And  is  this  a  lie  also  ?  —  that  Avil-Marduk,  the 
worshipful  priest  of  Bel,  would  not  be  greatly  dis 
pleased  if  some  hap  of  fate  were  to  set  him  on  the 
throne  of  Nebuchadnezzar?  By  Samas,  you  are 
startled ! " 

Neriglissor  was  smiling  uneasily.     "  Have  you  the 


BELSHAZZAR   SECURES  HIS   PREY       359 

eyes  of  Nergal,  dear  Itti?  Well,  you  are  a  good 
friend,  and  know  the  meaning  of  that  hard  word 
4 silence.'  His  Majesty  is  childless,  thus  far;  he  is 
the  last  of  his  line ;  if  by  some  dispensation  of  heaven, 
—  which  Ramman  f orefend,  —  if  Avil-Marduk  were 
to  be  summoned  to  the  throne  —  " 

The  banker  broke  the  other  short  with  a  dry 
chuckle.  "  Ah !  then  I  did  not  hear  old-wives  tales 
merely.  Sirusur  and  Bilsandan  would  have  good 
cause  for  quaking  with  Avil  wearing  the  purple  cap. 
But  the  king  weds  the  Persian,  —  there  may  be  an 
heir." 

Neriglissor  rolled  one  eye  in  his  head.  "  Many 
things  can  befall  before  an  heir  is  born  to  his 
Majesty." 

"  Ha ! "  laughed  the  other,  "  so  be  it,  if  trade  is  not 
disturbed,  and  Avil-Marduk  remembers  that  he  yet 
owes  me  twelve  talents,  be  he  king  or  priest." 

So  the  gossip  ran  in  the  town,  and  in  the  palace 
there  was  one  continuous  carnival.  Belshazzar  sat 
on  his  throne  in  the  great  audience  hall ;  two  tame 
lions  crouched  at  right  and  left,  but  he,  in  his  kingly 
majesty  looked  the  noblest  lion  of  them  all.  Before 
him  had  come  the  captains  of  thousands  and  of  hun 
dreds,  to  pay  obeisance  and  listen  to  the  royal  words  of 
praise,  or  even  receive  some  crowning  mark  of  good 
will — a  chain  of  gold  hung  round  their  necks  by  the 
monarch's  own  hand. 

Then,  next  to  Belshazzar,  all  paid  court  to  Avil- 


360  BELSHAZZAR 

Marduk,  who  stood  more  modestly  in  a  corner  of  the 
great  hall,  while  the  noblest  of  the  princes  salaamed 
to  him,  and  wished  him  "  a  thousand  sons  and  a  thou 
sand  daughters;"  for  it  was  hardly  more  an  hour 
of  triumph  for  the  king  than  for  Avil.  His  policy  of 
mingled  caution  and  boldness  had  been  completely 
vindicated.  His  influence  in  the  royal  council  would 
be  supreme.  Never  had  Babylon  stood  so  clearly 
in  the  zenith  of  glory.  And  now  that  the  power  of 
Cyrus  seemed  broken,  to  what  bounds  might  not 
the  dominions  of  the  Chaldee  reach?  And  Avil- 
Marduk  was  saying  within  his  crafty  heart,  "  The 
city  may  ascribe  the  triumph  to  Belshazzar  if  they 
will,  the  wise  will  confess  it  won  by  me."  Only  one 
thing  marred  the  high  priest's  bliss.  Sirusur  the  Tar 
tan  and  Bilsandan  the  vizier  gave  no  compliments, 
only  dark  frowns,  when  they  passed  him;  and  Avil 
spoke  again  within  himself  of  a  certain  ambition  that 
boded  little  good  for  general  or  minister,  or  even 
king. 

But  the  hopes  and  fears  of  his  underlings  had 
little  place  in  the  heart  of  Belshazzar  that  day,  when 
he  dismissed  the  levee,  and  his  parasol  and  fan 
bearers  followed  him  into  the  harem  of  the  palace. 
Hardly  had  Igas-Ramman  the  guards-captain  de 
parted  after  reporting  that  the  last  of  the  Persian 
host  had  vanished  in  such  haste  as  to  leave  much 
valuable  armour  and  camp  furniture,  when  Mermaza 
came  before  the  king  with  a  tale  that  made  his 
smooth  face  beam  with  complacent  mirth. 


BELSHAZZAR   SECURES   HIS   PREY       361 

"  Let  the  king's  heart  be  enlarged,  his  liver  exalted. 
Know,  my  lord,  Marduk  sends  no  fair  thing  singly. 
May  your  slave  speak  ?  " 

"  Say  on."  The  king  was  smiling,  too,  for  he  saw 
Mermaza  had  some  wondrous  good  fortune  to  relate. 

"Lord,"  quoth  Mermaza,  smirking,  "have  you  for 
gotten  the  daughter  of  Daniel  ?  " 

"  Forgotten  ?  By  Istar,  am  I  like  to  forget  those 
stars,  her  eyes  ?  or  how  her  accursed  father  has  hid 
den  her,  despite  all  search  ?  " 

"  Wrong,  my  king."  Mermaza  brushed  his  stiffly 
pomatumed  curls  on  the  leopard's  skin  at  Belshazzar's 
feet.  "  I  and  my  eunuchs  have  discovered.  A  shy 
partridge,  but  she  is  snared." 

"  Nabu  prosper  you,  fellow !  How  did  you  secure 
her?  When?  Where?" 

Mermaza's  smile  grew  yet  more  honeyed.  "  Lord, 
your  slave  can  tell  the  story  quickly.  Daniel  hid 
the  maid  with  his  friend  Imbi-Ilu  at  Borsippa;  but 
when  that  traitor  fled  to  Cyrus,  he  gave  the  maid  into 
the  keeping  of  one  Dagan-Milki,  a  schoolmaster  who 
owed  Daniel  some  debt  of  gratitude.  To-day  in  the 
rejoicings  one  of  the  older  scholars,  well  laden  with 
palm-beer,  chattered  somewhat  in  the  ears  of  Ili- 
Kamma,  the  slyest  rat  amongst  all  my  eunuchs.  Said 
the  lad, '  Our  master  has  a  strange  maid  in  his  family, 
and  her  manner  is  thus  and  thus.'  Ili  comes  to  me  ; 
together  we  go  to  the  school  and  house  of  Dagan- 
Milki.  And  behold !  Dagan  lies  in  the  inner 
prison,  and  Ruth,  the  daughter  of  Daniel,  waits  now 


362  BELSHAZZAR 

the  good  pleasure  of  Belshazzar,  the  ever  victorious 
king!" 

Belshazzar  gave  a  laugh  that  almost  set  Mermaza 
to  trembling ;  for  it  was  safer  sometimes  to  hear  the 
roar  of  uncaged  lions,  than  such  burst  of  royal  mirth. 
But  the  eunuch  had  naught  to  fear. 

"  I  thank  you,  rascal ;  by  every  god  I  thank  you ! 
Truly,  Marduk  sends  all  things  good  at  once ;  let 
him  keep  back  some  now,  that  his  later  store  may  not 
be  exhausted.  Where  is  the  maid  ?  " 

"Already  here  in  the  harem.  I  have  commanded 
that  she  be  dressed  in  a  manner  pleasing  to  your 
Majesty." 

"And  she  has  lost  none  of  her  beauty  —  she  is 
fair  as  on  that  day  when  Darius  (curses  light  on  the 
Persian !)  beguiled  me  into  letting  her  slip  through 
my  grasp  ?  " 

"She  has  lost  nothing;  nay,  rather,  in  one  year 
her  bud  has  blown  to  full  blossom;  she  is  doubly 
fair." 

"Again  I  give  you  thanks.  Lead  me  to  her." 
But  the  king  paused  an  instant :  "  One  thing  also, — 
command  that  Atossa  be  brought  to  me,  when  I  am 
with  the  Jewess  in  the  harem." 

Atossa  had  been  on  the  palace  roof  that  afternoon, 
where  she  had  spent  many  a  long  hour  during  the 
siege,  —  gazing  toward  the  lowering  walls,  and  pray 
ing  for  the  moment  so  long  delayed,  when  Aryan  steel 
should  be  flashing  on  the  summits  of  those  ramparts. 


BELSHAZZAR,   SECURES   HIS  PREY       363 

And  now  Mermaza  had  come  to  her,  declaring: 
"  Rejoice,  my  lady !  for  all  Babylon  rejoices.  Cyrus 
raises  his  siege ;  his  host  melts  away  like  snow  in  the 
springtime  ! " 

Then  Atossa  had  stared  hard  at  the  eunuch,  wast 
ing  no  tears  on  such  as  him.  "Another  lie,  serpent! 
Earth  will  turn  to  fire  ere  the  host  of  the  Aryans 
turn  the  back  from  a  war  once  begun." 

"Nevertheless,"  answered  Mermaza,  with  an  un 
usually  lowly  salaam,  "you  will  find  your  slave's 
words  do  not  err." 

Full  soon  tho  shouts  of  gladness  and  the  tidings 
that  the  under  servants  brought  into  the  palace  told 
the  Persian  that  Mermaza  had  indeed  spoken  well ; 
and  right  on  the  heels  of  this  great  bitterness  trod  a 
summons  from  Belshazzar  to  appear  before  him  with 
out  delay.  A  fearful  outburst  rewarded  the  eunuch 
who  brought  it. 

"  Get  you  gone  !  Tell  Belshazzar  that  Atossa  will 
love  to  see  your  Chaldean  '  Maskim '  more  gladly 
than  him." 

"  Lord,"  explained  the  myrmidon,  who  knew  how 
to  soften  tart  messages  to  the  king,  "  the  Lady  Atossa 
is  much  indisposed ;  she  prays  to  see  you  later. " 

"  Much  indisposed  ! "  roared  Belshazzar,  clapping 
his  thigh.  "Yes,  by  Nergal,  she  and  all  her  race 
need  more  than  an  Egyptian  doctor's  physic  for  their 
ills !  Bring  her  hither,  by  force  if  needs  be  !  " 

No  disobeying  this;  Atossa  was  brought  to  the 
king.  She  found  Belshazzar  in  one  of  the  cool, 


364  BELSHAZZAE 

softly  lighted,  high-vaulted  chambers  of  the  harem ; 
he  was  lolling  on  the  crimson  cushions  of  his  couch, 
in  one  hand  his  constant  companion  of  late  —  a  wine- 
cup.  But  what  Atossa  was  swiftest  to  see  was  a 
young  girl  seated  on  a  footstool  at  his  right  elbow,  — 
a  slender,  graceful  thing,  but  shivering,  and  glancing 
furtively  this  way  and  that  like  some  trapped  crea 
ture  watching  for  escape.  Only  the  flutter  of  the 
fans  of  the  inevitable  corps  of  attendants  broke  the 
silence,  when  Atossa  was  led  before  the  king.  She 
made  no  motion  or  sound ;  only  looked  straight  be 
fore  her,  with  stern,  glassy  eyes,  as  if  seeing  all,  yet 
seeing  nothing. 

Belshazzar  raised  himself  and  tilted  the  goblet  to 
his  lips. 

"  Your  health,  my  queen ;  may  it  be  happier  than 
that  of  your  valorous  father." 

The  hot  colour  in  Atossa's  cheeks  was  the  king's 
sole  answer ;  he  drained,  and  thrust  back  the  cup  into 
the  ever  watchful  cup-bearer's  hands. 

"Lady,"  began  he  again,  a  trifle  more  soberly, 
"you  have  fought  against  the  bridle,  but  the  Chal- 
dee's  curb  is  too  strong.  To-morrow  you  become 
indeed  my  wife.  One  year  in  Babylon  is  time  enough 
to  forget  Susa.  You  are  of  us  now." 

"  I  Babylonish  ? "  demanded  Atossa,  and  in  the 
last  word  there  was  a  whole  weight  of  scorn.  But 
Belshazzar  only  let  his  eyes  half  close  in  easy  good 
humour. 

"You  are  a  comely  maid,  even  though  Cyrus  be 


BELSHAZZAR   SECURES   HIS   PREY       365 

your  father.  I  do  not  repent  his  sending  you  to 
Babylon ;  for  Istar's  self  might  stand  beside  you,  and 
flush  with  shame.  Be  you  who  you  may,  you  shall 
become  my  c  first  queen ' ;  and  if  you  are  but  reason 
able,  you  will  find  your  least  wish  a  law  to  the 
Chaldees,  no  sorry  thing  even  to  a  princess  of  the 
Aryans.  Not  so?" 

"  So  I  am  to  be  first  queen  ?  "  spoke  Atossa,  point 
ing  with  a  finger ;  "  but  this  woman  —  who  is  she  f  " 

Belshazzar  pinched  the  smooth  arm  of  the  maid  at 
his  side. 

"  Look  up,  my  queen !  The  lady  does  not  remem 
ber  the  day  when  her  marvellous  archer  friend  Darius 
saved  you  from  the  lion.  Never  since  then  have  my 
soul's  eyes  lost  sight  of  you,  my  flower,  though  your 
father  hid  so  carefully ;  and  I  have  plucked  you 
at  last !  The  Persian  is  the  lily,  and  you  shall  be  the 
rose  in  my  sweet  nosegay  !  " 

Atossa  caught  the  girl  roughly  under  the  chin,  and 
looked  into  her  face.  "Excellent  taste,  my  king," 
she  taunted ;  "  so  this  is  the  maid  who  is  to  divide 
honours  with  me.  Is  her  father  the  Pharaoh,  or  Nadab 
the  boatman  ?  " 

The  girl  shuddered  out  of  Atossa's  grasp. 

"  You  forget,"  quoth  Belshazzar,  ogling  from  one 
woman  to  the  other;  "her  father  is  no  boatman,  by 
Nergal !  though,  like  your  own,  scarce  now  on  good 
terms  with  the  god  of  good  fortune.  He  is  Daniel, 
the  one  time  civil-minister." 

All  the  anger  vanished  from  Atossa's  face  instantly. 


366  BELSHAZZAR 

"  Were  you  not  Ruth,  who  was  betrothed  to  Isaiah 
the  Jew  ? "  asked  she  of  the  girl,  who  only  nodded 
dumbly,  for  fear  had  stolen  her  power  of  speech. 

"  And  what  does  the  king  require  of  her  ?  "  spoke 
the  Persian,  almost  haughtily ;  "  possessing  me,  does 
he  not  possess  enough  ?  " 

"  Fie  ! "  answered  he ;  "  because  I  keep  the  swiftest 
Elamite  bay  in  my  stables,  must  I  own  no  other 
charger  ?  You  need  not  fear  her  as  a  rival  in  power. 
You  shall  be  queen,  and  she  ?  —  "  he  lifted  the  dark 
curls  on  the  Jewess's  soft  neck,  "  we  shall  find  her 
place  when  some  lucky  god  gives  back  to  her  her 
tongue." 

Ruth  cringed  and  shivered  under  the  touch ;  more 
than  ever  she  seemed  the  dumb,  netted  creature. 
But  Atossa  took  her  by  the  hand. 

"  Your  Majesty,"  said  she,  more  mildly  than  before, 
but  losing  none  of  her  lofty  tone  of  command, 
"  surely  you  have  made  merry  enough  with  your  two 
slaves  for  to-day.  Let  me  take  the  daughter  of 
Daniel  with  me,  to  my  chambers." 

"  Let  the  king  so  favour  his  handmaiden."  It  was 
the  first  word  Ruth  had  spoken.  And  Belshazzar 
declared,  with  another  great  laugh  :  — 

"So  be  it.  Go  your  ways.  Teach  this  wench 
speech,  Atossa,  and  I  thank  you.  But  one  last  com 
mand, —  let  the  Jewess  be  present  at  the  feast  of 
triumph ;  for  if  you  are  to  shine  as  Istar,  the  other 
great  goddess,  Beltis,  must  not  fail." 

Once  in  the  private  chambers  of  Atossa,  Ruth  cast 


BELSHAZZAK   SECURES  HIS  PREY       367 

herself  on  the  tiles  at  the  princess's  feet  and  burst 
into  a  flood  of  tears. 

"  0  lady !  if  you  have  any  power  indeed,  give 
one  favour,  a  speedy  death,  arid  end  my  pain  !  Bet 
ter  black  Sheol  than  to  hear  again  the  voice  of 
Belshazzar ! " 

But  the  Persian,  stronger  and  maturer,  raised  her 
up,  and  held  her  head  against  her  own  breast. 

"  Peace,  peace.  Lamentation  binds  up  no  broken 
hearts,  else  would  mine  have  ceased  its  grieving  long 
ago." 

"  Ah !  merciful  mistress,"  cried  the  Jewess,  falling 
again  on  her  knees,  "  forgive  your  slave ;  what 
freedom  is  this  that  I  have  shown  before  your  face  ? 
Forgive  — " 

"  I  forgive  nothing  ;  there  is  naught  to  be  for 
given,  "  answered  Atossa,  with  a  wan  smile.  "  We 
are  equals  in  the  wretchedness  of  our  lot.  Whether 
your  plight  or  mine  is  worse,  Ahura  knows,  not  we." 

"  Ah !  God  is  weak,"  groaned  the  Jewess,  "  else 
why  has  Belshazzar  thus  been  suffered  to  blaspheme 
Him  and  to  prosper?  The  king  has  hounded  my 
lover  from  the  city,  has  flung  my  father  into  a  dun 
geon,  and  soon  will  take  his  life.  Just  before  you 
came  to  us,  Belshazzar  said  unto  me,  4  Forget  your 
Jewish  god,  my  pretty,  for  I  will  teach  the  nations 
how  helpless  is  the  demon  the  Hebrews  and  Persians 
serve.'  Once  I  was  strong,  once  I  bade  Isaiah  risk 
all  for  our  God,  and  count  nothing  for  Him  too  dear. 
But  now,  —  I  am  not  of  kingly  blood,  as  you,  O 


368  BELSHAZZAE 

lady,  — I  can  only  know  that  to  all  seeming  Marduk 
has  conquered  Jehovah." 

Atossa  pointed  from  the  window,  beyond  the  green 
foliage  of  the  "  paradise  "  about  the  palace,  beyond 
the  ziggurats  and  the  towering  walls. 

"  How  can  these  things  be  ?  I  do  not  know. 
Ahura-Mazda  is  all-wise  and  all-good.  That  should 
suffice,  were  we  but  perfect  as  His  '  Ameshaspentas.' 
But  this  I  know:  beyond  those  walls  are  Cyrus  and 
Darius  and  Isaiah ;  and  while  those  three  live,  let 
these  Babylonish  swine  grunt  their  boastings,  I  know 
that  hope  is  not  ended." 

"  But  Cyrus  departs.  His  princes  disobey  him,  and 
turn  against  him." 

Atossa  pointed  again  toward  the  window.  "  Cyrus 
departs  ?  Little  you  know  my  father,  or  the  princes 
of  the  Persians,  and  our  Aryan  fealty.  Other  kings 
have  cried  '  victory '  when  they  warred  with  Cyrus  — 
but  those  kings,  where  are  they?" 

"  Then  you  still  hope  ? "  almost  implored  the 
Jewess. 

"  Yes,  because  Ahura  still  sends  Mithra  the  4  fiend- 
smiter,'  into  the  heavens,  pledge  of  His  favour;  and 
because  Cyrus,  lord  of  the  Aryans,  is  Cyrus  still ;  and 
Darius,  son  of  Hystaspes,  is  Darius  still." 

"Yes,  lady,"  cried  Ruth,  still  quivering,  "hope 
is  sweet ;  but  I  have  long  hoped,  and  hoped  in  vain ; 
and  it  grows  hard.  To-morrow  is  the  feast,  and  after 
the  feast  Belshazzar  will  possess  us  utterly." 

"  The  time  truly  is  short "  —  Atossa's  eyes,  for  the 


BELSHAZZAR   SECURES  HIS   PREY       369 

first  time  that  day  shone  with  tears ;  "  yet  if  Ahura 
willeth,  one  last  moment  shall  yet  bring  low  this 
Babylon  and  its  most  evil  king." 

"  But  we  ?  " 

Atossa  shook  her  head  impatiently. 

"We  are  only  women,  made  to  trust  and  bear. 
We  can  only  wait  his  will." 


CHAPTER  XXIV 

"VTTGHTFALL  again;  and  again  a  feast  at  the 
_UN  same  hour  when  one  year  earlier  Belshazzar  had 
given  a  banquet  to  the  daughter  of  Cyrus  and  pro 
claimed  her  his  prospective  bride.  At  early  dawn  all 
Babylonians  had  awakened  to  eat,  drink,  and  make 
merry.  Every  beer-house  had  reechoed  with  drunken 
revel.  No  business  in  the  bazaars,  no  priests  chant 
ing  their  litanies  on  the  temple-towers.  The  great 
merchants  had  thrown  open  their  doors  to  the  most 
distant  friends,  who  were  welcome  to  enter  and  quaff 
a  deep-bellied  flagon.  By  noon  half  Babylon  was  in 
drink:  drunken  sailors  roaring  along  the  quays, 
drunken  priestesses  at  their  orgies  with  tipsy  youths 
in  the  groves  of  Istar,  drunken  soldiers  splashing 
their  liquor  as  they  stood  guard  on  walls  and  gates. 
Cyrus  was  gone.  The  siege  was  at  an  end.  What 
need  of  watch  and  ward?  One  would  have  thought 
the  city  had  forgotten  Marduk  and  Samas,  to  adore 
the  one  god,  Wine ! 

As  the  first  twilight  spread,  the  multitudes  com 
menced  to  surge  through  the  open  gates  of  the  palace. 
Long  before  the  proper  feast  was  prepared  the  royal 

370 


THE   WARNING   OF   JEHOVAH  371 

stewards  had  brought  skins  of  the  rarest  vintage 
from  the  palace  cellars,  and  emptied  them  into  the 
great  silver  mixing-bowls  which  stood  in  every  cor 
ner  of  the  vast  courts,  with  a  busy  eunuch  by  each, 
handing  forth  goblets  to  great  and  small  —  for  all 
Babylon  could  call  itself  Belshazzar's  guest  that 
night.  The  walls  of  the  courts  had  been  hung  with 
gay  stuffs  curiously  embroidered ;  over  each  of  the 
courts  rippled  a  vast  awning  of  Sidonian  purple,  hung 
by  a  clever  system  of  pulleys,  making  the  huge 
space  one  banqueting  chamber.  And  under  this 
canopy,  as  everywhere  else  in  the  king's  house,  — 
save  the  inner  harem, —  jostled  the  shouting,  rioting 
multitude,  maddened  with  drink:  ass-drivers,  gar 
deners,  artisans,  women,  children  even,  pressing 
around  the  eunuchs  and  stretching  forth  eager  hands 
for  the  goblets,  with  only  a  single  cry :  "  Wine  ! 
Wine !  More !  More  ! " 

In  and  out  through  this  human  whirlpool  ploughed 
Khatin  the  giant  headsman ;  other  pates  might  whirl 
with  the  cheer,  not  his,  though  none  had  seen  the 
bottom  of  more  cups  that  night  than  he. 

"  One  year  to-night,"  the  executioner  was  braying, 
"since  the  betrothal  feast;  you  recall  your  dear 
friend  Khanni  was  with  us  then.  Pity  his  Majesty 
bade  me  end  his  services  four  months  since  !  " 

"  Peace ;  speak  not  of  it ! "  groaned  the  eunuch 
Nabua,  who  dragged,  very  tipsy,  on  Khatin's 
arm. 

"Silence,  then,  if  you  wish.     Well,  to-morrow  I 


372  BELSHAZZAB, 

trust  to  say  farewell  to  those  Persian  noblemen  taken 
in  the  sally  —  stout  lads,  all  of  them ! " 

"But  Darius  has  slid  through  your  clutch,"  hic 
coughed  Nabua,  snatching  a  honey-cake  from  a  table, 
grasping  and  swallowing  almost  as  one  act. 

"Darius?  Yes,  all  the  gods  have  won  a  grudge 
from  me  by  that.  But  I  shall  be  repaid.  Avil-Mar- 
duk  will  have  a  free  course  against  the  Jews  now. 
I  doubt  not  to  chaffer  with  that  surly  oaf,  old  Daniel, 
before  another  Sabbath." 

"Sure  of  this?" 

"  So  Mermaza  whispered  in  my  ear  to-day.  Imbi- 
Ilu  is  no  longer  in  the  city,  to  raise  riots  in  the  Jew's 
behalf.  Avil  has  sworn  Daniel's  death.  Not  even 
his  Majesty  could  save  him,  if  he  wished." 

"The  procession!  The  king!  Way!  Way!" 
bawled  many.  "To  the  great  court!"  Hardly  did 
Khatin  with  all  his  might  win  an  entrance  to  this 
huge  enclosure,  so  vast  was  the  crowd.  Where  save 
in  Babylon  was  a  like  banqueting  space !  One  hun 
dred  and  fifty  cubits  long,  one  hundred  broad ;  walls 
to  the  height  of  five  men ;  the  pictured  walls  of  en 
amelled  brick,  the  castellated  and  gilded  parapet  above ; 
the  great  purple  awning  on  high  ;  the  giant  winged 
bulls  at  the  many  entrances, — this  was  the  scene  that 
glowed  under  the  light  of  six  score  silver  lamps  hung 
from  the  awning,  and  as  many  resinous,  red  torches 
flaring  in  the  sockets  on  the  wall. 

Straight  across  the  lower  half  of  the  court  stretched 
a  rope  barrier,  cutting  off  the  vulgar  herd.  Above,  a 


THE  WARNING   OF  JEHOVAH  373 

bevy  of  eunuchs  were  making  the  last  arrangements 
for  the  feast,  setting  innumerable  chairs  and  stools 
beside  the  low  tables,  or  hanging  a  great  bower  of 
dark  cypress  above  the  high  couch  on  the  dais  at  the 
end,  where  Belshazzar  would  take  his  wine,  view 
ing  and  viewed  by  all. 

Suddenly  the  brawl  even  of  drunken  voices  was 
hushed. 

"  Hark !     The  king  and  all  his  captains ! " 

Nearer  and  nearer  was  approaching  the  clangour  of 
cymbals  and  of  kettle-drums;  then  out  of  the  din 
burst  the  wailing  of  flutes  and  the  blare  of  the  war- 
horns.  A  louder  crash, —  fifty  harps  and  zithers  were 
joining.  Into  the  court  came  filing  two  long  lines  of 
spearmen  in  silvered  armour,  who  swept  the  multitude 
to  right  and  left,  then  halted,  leaving  a  long  lane  for 
the  royal  procession.  After  the  soldiers  marched  the 
musicians,  handsome  men,  each  wearing  the  tall, 
peaked  mitre  of  his  guild :  and  after  these  a  company 
at  sight  whereof  every  onlooker  craned  his  neck,  and 
a  loud  "  ah ! "  arose. 

"The  Persian  prisoners,"  grunted  Khatin  in  Na- 
bua's  ear ;  "  to-night  they  shall  see  his  Majesty's  tri 
umph.  To-morrow  they  shall  die.  Hah!  They 
strut  haughtily  enough ! "  Then  he  howled  aloud  as 
the  captives  came  nearer,  "  Fine  plunder,  my  merry 
sirs,  are  you  finding  in  Babylon  ;  sad  your  dear  lord 
Cyrus  is  not  near  you  now !  " 

But  the  pinioned  Persians  were  led  straight  for 
ward.  Cords  had  been  fastened  to  rings  in  their  lips, 


374  BELSHAZZAR 

by  which  their  guards  could  drag  them.  Around  the 
necks  of  many  dangled  unsightly  objects  —  the  heads 
of  comrades  whose  bodies  had  fallen  into  the  Chal- 
dees'  hands.  A  thousand  jeers  flew  around  them; 
but  no  Persian  repaid  with  so  much  as  a  shake  of  the 
head  or  a  curse.  Even  the  most  drunken  of  all  that 
throng  felt  a  small  mite  of  respect,  if  not  of  pity,  for 
these  men,  who  showed  their  foes  that  where  an  Aryan 
could  not  conquer,  he  at  least  knew  how  to  die. 
Silently  they  were  arrayed  inside  the  barriers,  to 
await  the  royal  pleasure.  And  now  all  forgot  them, 
as,  with  more  musicians  accompanying  into  the  court, 
marched  the  priests  of  Bel-Marduk,  bearing  glaring 
flambeaux.  The  ruddy  light  flickered  on  the  white 
dresses  and  sleek  goatskins  of  the  priests,  and  their 
mitres  set  with  bullocks'  horns.  The  company  ranged 
itself  before  the  soldiers,  that  the  king  might  pass  up 
a  lighted  way.  Loudly  now  rose  their  triumph  song 
—  for  was  this  not  the  night  of  Bel-Marduk's  own 
victory  ? 

"  O  Ruler  eternal !     O  Lord  of  all  being ! 
Smiter  of  the  foes  of  Belshazzar  thy  servant : 
Who  stillest  the  ragings  of  Cyrus  the  Persian : 
Hast  broken  his  spear,  hast  shattered  his  quiver : 
Confounding  his  god  and  the  vile  Jewish  demon : 
We  praise  thee,  and  with  us  all  Babylon  worships !  " 

The  chant  ended  with  a  terrific  clap  of  cym 
bals  and  thunder  of  drums.  Then  the  wonted 
cry  was  spreading :  "  The  knee  !  the  knee  !  Hail ! 
Hail !  Belshazzar !  "  Soldiers  again :  the  chosen 


THE  WARNING   OF  JEHOVAH  375 

sword-hands  of  the  guard,  the  golden  scales  of  the 
armour  flashing :  scarlet  pennons  trailing  from  every 
spear-head.  Behind  them  on  a  lofty  litter  rode  Bel- 
shazzar  the  king,  —  never  more  kingly  than  now, 
never  arrayed  before  in  costlier  robes  and  tiara.  And 
at  sight  of  him  a  great  shout  rose  spontaneously  from 
the  multitude. 

"  A  god  and  not  a  man !  Marduk  appears  on 
earth!  Happy  Babylon  —  your  king  was  begotten 
in  heaven ! " 

Belshazzar  looked  neither  to  one  side  nor  the  other, 
the  faces  of  the  stone  bulls  more  mobile  than  his. 
"  The  king  was  indeed  half  god  —  what  part  had  the 
son  of  Marduk  with  the  life  of  vulgar  men !  "  so  his 
thought  ran. 

Under  the  firm  steps  of  twelve  great  noblemen 
moved  the  litter.  Right  behind  was  a  second,  not 
so  high,  yet  lofty  also,  and  she  that  rode  therein 
exposed  to  common  sight.  And  now  there  was  a 
titter  here,  a  taunt  there,  and  yonder  silence. 

"  The  daughter  of  Cyrus ! "  "  Joyful  day  for  her ! " 
"  Away  with  the  chalk- white  Persian !  " 

White  indeed  was  Atossa,  but  Belshazzar  gave  the 
multitude  no  less  heed  than  she.  Where  better  to 
show  her  Aryan  pride  and  courage,  than  before  these 
cfaeva-worshippers ! 

"Fie,  Persian  wench!"  hissed  the  tipsy  Nabua, 
"  your  eyes  turn  green  as  a  cat's  with  rage  ! "  But 
a  great  hand  clapped  ungently  upon  his  mouth. 

"  Peace,  fool,"  Khatin  whispered  hoarsely.     "  Per- 


376  BELSHAZZAR, 

sian  or  Chaldee,  I  know  a  true  man  or  a  true  maid. 
Where  is  the  Babylonish  hussy  who  could  bear  herself 
in  Susa  thus  ?  " 

Three  more  litters,  bearing  Tavat-Hasina,  the 
stately  queen-mother,  Avil-Marduk,  and  the  Jewess 
Ruth.  Both  women,  like  Atossa,  shone  with  jewels 
that  twinkled  under  every  torch ;  but  Avil  was  clad 
in  perfectly  plain  robes  and  fillet,  —  strange  con 
trast  to  the  gay-robed  company  about.  He  met  the 
gaze  of  the  multitude  with  his  wonted  stare  and 
smile,  arrogant  almost  as  his  royal  betters.  But 
the  Jewess  was  quaking  like  aspen  behind  her  purple 
and  crimson.  She  said  nothing ;  but  her  great  eyes 
were  wandering  all  about,  well  telling  the  terror  that 
had  sunk  too  deep  for  tear  or  cry. 

Then  behind  the  litters  came  the  lords  and  captains 
of  the  Chaldees,  two  by  two,  and  more  gilded  ar 
mour,  gem-crusted  helmets,  brilliant  mantles  and  sur- 
coats;  stately  men  all,  who  had  anew  given  their 
Babylon  the  proud  title  of  "  Lady  of  Kingdoms," 
for  they  were  the  first  warriors  before  whom  Cyrus, 
the  terrible  Aryan,  had  turned  away  in  defeat. 

Belshazzar  had  stretched  himself  on  the  high 
couch,  the  ladies  and  pontiff  took  the  chairs  set  at 
his  side,  the  captains  were  seating  themselves  below 
at  the  many  small  tables.  Yet  the  king's  eyes 
wandered  about,  inquiringly.  "  Where  is  Sirusur 
the  general  ?  " 

Whereupon  Bilsandan  the  vizier  approached  with 
a  profound  salaam. 


THE  WARNING  OF  JEHOVAH  377 

"  River  of  Omnipotence !  the  Tartan  asks  me  to 
beseech  that  he  be  pardoned.  He  lies  unwell  in  his 
own  house;  much  service  and  the  reopening  of  an 
old  wound  drive  him  to  his  bed." 

"Lord,"  quoth  Avil,  sotto  voce,  to  his  master, 
"  Sirusur  was  anything  but  ill  this  noon.  To  my 
mind  —  " 

But  Bilsandan  interrupted  nigh  testily :  "  Priest, 
you  sniff  for  treason  as  a  hound  for  a  hare !  Is  it 
conspiracy  for  the  king's  generals  to  be  stricken  with 
the  sickness-demon  ?  " 

"Nevertheless,"  objected  the  priest,  "let  a  mes 
senger  be  sent  to  Sirusur's  palace  —  " 

But  the  vizier  sneered  boldly :  "  My  dear  pontiff, 
not  one  '  double-hour '  since  I  saw  him  on  his  bed, 
with  five  wizards  from  your  own  temple  preparing 
incantations  over  him.  Shall  we  not  rather  vow 
three  steers  that  he  come  from  their  clutches 
safely?" 

"  Samas  protect  Sirusur  from  the  4  five  fiends,' " 
laughed  the  king.  "  I  mourn  his  absence,  but  he  is 
forgiven.  Enough  delay  !  Let  the  feast  begin." 

Instantly,  as  by  magic,  the  tapestries  upon  the 
walls  were  brushed  aside,  revealing  doorways, 
whence  a  long  procession  of  eunuchs  filed  into  the 
hall,  each  bearing  a  silver  dish  or  basket ;  and  soon 
fish  and  flesh  of  every  manner  were  piled  upon  the 
dishes  of  the  king's  guests.  Nor  were  the  throngs 
below  the  rope  barriers  forgotten;  here,  too,  food 
was  served  until  man  and  child  could  take  no  more. 


378  BELSHAZZAR, 

The  music  rose  and  fell  in  swaying  rhythm  and 
cadence ;  and  now  and  again  the  choir  of  Bel  would 
burst  into  their  song  of  praise  to  god  and  king, 
raising  their  paean  louder,  louder,  until  the  canopies 
quivered :  — 

"  Bel-Marduk,  sovereign  of  archers, 
Bel-Marduk,  spoiler  of  cities, 
Bel-Marduk,  lord  of  all  gods, 
Bel-Marduk,  who  rulest  forever; 
Thee,  thee  we  praise ! " 

After  the  carp  and  pigeons  had  vanished,  lo! 
amid  shout  and  creaking,  four  flower-wreathed  cars 
were  wheeled  into  the  court,  each  groaning  with  the 
weight  of  a  roasted  ox.  Then  the  company  —  as  if 
they  had  starved  before  —  fell  to  feasting  with  true 
glutton's  zest.  From  time  to  time  Belshazzar  would 
deign  to  command  Mermaza  to  bear  to  this  or  that 
captain  a  morsel  of  meat  carved  from  the  king's  own 
plate,  —  a  rare  mark  of  favour  to  the  happy  soldier 
thus  commended. 

So  at  first  the  feasters  devoured  in  silence;  then 
when  even  the  hunger  of  the  mighty  men  of  the 
Chaldees  began  abating,  the  talk  ran  swiftly.  Vainly 
Belshazzar  strove  to  force  the  Jewess  into  speech. 
The  Persian  answered  the  king  only  curtly.  Then 
at  last  he  stretched  forth  his  mighty  hands,  plucked 
Ruth  by  the  arm,  and  drew  her  close  to  his  couch. 

"  Hail,  daughter  of  Cyrus !  do  you  not  hate  your 
rival  ?  "  cried  he. 

But  Atossa  only  answered,  though  the  flush  on 
her  cheek  grew  crimson :  — 


THE   WAKXING  OF  JEHOVAH  379 

"  I  pity  the  lord  of  the  Chaldees." 

"  Pity  ?  "     Belshazzar  stared  at  the  Persian. 

"  Yes,  verily !  What  save  pity  for  a  king  who  uses 
his  power  more  to  torture  helpless  women  than  to 
perform  right  kingly  deeds  ?  " 

Belshazzar  thrust  the  Jewess  away  with  a  curse. 
"  Allat  possess  you,  girl !  Why  is  your  touch  so 
icy  cold  ?  "  Then  fiercely  to  Atossa,  "  Speak  out, 
Persian ;  what  mean  you  ?  " 

"  Mean  ?  "  Atossa  leaned  forward  from  her  own 
seat,  and  met  his  angry  glare  unflinchingly ;  she 
spoke  in  a  whisper,  yet  a  whisper  that  could  be 
heard  for  far  around:  "I  say  that  if  it  were  Cyrus 
who  had  won  the  victory  you  boast,  he  would  not  be 
lolling  over  a  stalled  ox  and  wine,  but  in  the  field, 
grinding  to  dust  his  fleeing  enemies.  But  I  speak  as 
a  Persian  barbarian  —  the  Chaldees  are  wiser.  Their 
watchmen  drink  and  sleep  snug  to-night,  knowing 
that  the  Aryan's  power  is  broken  utterly." 

Belshazzar  gave  a  laugh  so  loud  that  every  feaster 
kept  silence  before  the  king.  "Bravely  sped  are 
your  arrows,  lady  !  I  praise  you !  Were  your  race 
as  valiant  with  the  sword  as  you  with  your  tongue, 
scarce  would  we  be  feasting  here.  Yet  look  on  those 
captives  yonder,  choicest  princes  of  Cyrus's  host. 
Where  is  his  power  if  he  suffer  such  to  be  taken  ?  " 

a  Beware  to  boast ;  the  Persian  memories  are 
long.  They  will  not  forget  revenge  in  a  year  or  a 
generation." 

"  Long  truly  if  they  would  wait  the  crumbling  of 


380  BELSHAZZAR 

Imgur-Bel  and  Nimitti-Bel !  "  But  here  the  king 
halted,  for  Bilsandan  approached  his  couch  once 
more. 

"May  the  king's  liver  increase,  his  heart  find 
rest ! "  saluted  the  vizier.  "  I  crave  his  compassion. 
A  messenger  from  my  palace :  my  youngest  daughter 
lies  grievously  ill  —  a  sudden  torment  sent  by  the 
'Maskim.'  Be  gracious,  and  suffer  me  to  quit  the 
feast." 

Belshazzar  frowned.  "  You  and  Sirusur  both  away  ? 
I  like  it  little.  Yet  go ;  I  can  refuse  no  boon  to 
night." 

But  the  vizier  had  another  request.  "  Lord,  these 
Persian  captives  are  a  doleful  sight  at  so  gay  a  feast. 
Command  that  they  be  taken  away." 

The  king  nodded  carelessly.  Bilsandan  whispered 
to  the  prisoners'  guards  and  was  gone;  a  moment 
later  the  captives  were  removed  also,  followed  by  the 
hoots  of  many.  Mermaza,  who  was  serving  the  royal 
party,  laid  his  head  beside  Avil's  for  an  instant. 

"  First  the  general  and  then  the  vizier.  Strange  ! 
I  would  stake  five  wine-skins  these  excuses  are  lies  !  " 

"I  believe  you,"  was  the  guarded  answer;  "but 
what  mischief  can  hatch  to-night?  Yet  I  mourn 
that  the  king  dismissed  Bilsandan  so  readily." 

"  Ha  !  "  interrupted  Belshazzar ;  "  enough  of  fowl 
and  oxen ;  bring  on  the  wine.  Wine,  the  true  gift  of 
the  gods,  is  the  crowning  of  the  feast ! " 

The  music  crashed  again.  The  nimble  eunuchs 
cleared  away  the  viands  in  a  trice,  and  as  quickly 


THE  WARNING   OF  JEHOVAH  381 

brought  in  the  great  inixing-bowls  of  chased  gold 
and  silver.  One  huge  tankard  of  perfumed  Damas 
cus  they  set  beside  the  king;  and  Avil,  taking  a 
jewelled  cup,  stood  pouring  libation  and  praying 
loudly:  "Grant,  O  Istar,  O  Nabu,  O  Bel,  mighty 
deities  whose  power  is  over  Babylon,  that  Belshazzar 
your  servant  may  reign  ten  thousand  years.  Let  his 
foes  stumble,  their  weapons  break,  their  bodies  grow 
fruit  for  his  sword.  And  so  will  we  offer  you  sacrifice 
forever ! " 

Then  on  one  knee  Mermaza  passed  to  Belshazzar 
another  cup ;  and  the  monarch  raised  it  with  the  cry  : 
"  Away  with  the  '  care -demon  '  and  his  kind  this 
night.  This  is  the  time  appointed  by  Nabu  for  glee. 
When  has  Babylon  shaken  off  a  foe  like  Cyrus  the 
Persian?  Drink,  men  of  Babylon,  drink  to  the 
present  glory  and  the  coming  triumphs  of  your 
king  I" 

"  Wine  !  Wine ! "  from  every  captain  and  sword- 
hand;  and  the  goblets  went  back  to  the  waiting 
eunuchs  in  a  twinkling. 

Atossa  had  never  seen  Belshazzar  so  riotous  before. 
He  seemed  to  have  let  the  mad  spirit  of  the  hour 
gain  utter  possession  of  him. 

"  Drink  !  "  he  shouted  again,  "  drink !  He  is 
traitor  who  does  not  measure  seven  goblets."  Then, 
turning  to  Atossa,  he  thrust  his  own  cup  into  her 
hand.  "I  have  been  cruel,  lady," — his  voice  sank 
into  hoarse  soothing,  —  "  cruel,  because  hitherto  you 
have  been  Persian.  But  to-night  you  are  become 


382  BELSHAZZAR 

Babylonish  by  becoming  my  wife.  We  strike  hands 
in  a  truce.  Peace  is  better  than  war.  Bel-Marduk 
is  your  god  now,  not  Ahura  the  helpless.  Are 
you  not '  Queen  of  Sumer  and  Akkad '  ?  Ask  what 
ever  you  will,  if  in  reason,  and  I  will  not  refuse. 
But  drink  you  with  the  rest,  —  drink  to  the  tri 
umphs  yet  to  be  won  by  Belshazzar  your  husband, 
whose  glories  are  all  yours." 

Mechanically  Atossa  tasted ;  put  the  goblet  away. 
But  Belshazzar  still  in  his  mood  ran  on :  "  Yes,  you 
are  a  great  king's  daughter,  and  worthy  to  be  my 
wife,  though  Persian  born.  As  for  this  Jewess 
here,"  with  a  leer  at  Ruth,  "  she  shall  learn  to  love 
me,  when  her  father  and  his  cursed  god  are  all 
forgot.  The  fiends  blast  me;  why  can  I  not  drive 
the  thought  of  that  drivelling  Hebrew  from  my 
mind?  To-morrow  Khatin  ends  him,  or  I  am  no 
king." 

But  to  the  threat  and  curse  neither  Ruth  nor 
Atossa  answered,  for  the  iron  had  long  since  entered 
deep  into  their  souls. 

Already  the  first  set  of  mixing-bowls  were  emp 
tied  ;  the  eunuchs  bustled  in  with  others.  The 
rounded  bottoms  of  the  silver  goblets,  making  it 
impossible  to  lay  them  down,  forced  rapid  drinking. 
Avil  sat  and  quaffed  in  silence ;  but  once  or  twice 
paused  to  cast  sinister  glances  toward  the  vacant  seat 
of  Bilsandan.  "A  care,  good  vizier,"  spoke  he  to 
his  own  heart,  "  beware ;  the  time  is  not  far  when  I 
will  brush  you  and  the  general  from  my  path,  as 


THE  WABNING-  OF  JEHOVAH  383 

I  served   Daniel  and  Imbi-Ilu ;   and  then  if   aught 
of  mortal  fate  befell  the  king  — " 

But  these  forecastings  were  broken  by  the  entrance 
of  a  great  corps  of  harem  girls,  clothed  in  gauzy 
dresses  of  all  the  tints  of  the  rainbow.  While  the 
harps  tinkled  softly  they  came  before  the  king,  to 
the  space  cleared  at  the  foot  of  the  dais,  and  sped 
about  in  sensuous  dances,  raven  locks  flying,  smooth 
brown  limbs  twinkling,  while  they  wove  their  figures. 
And  again  and  again  their  delicate  voices  joined  with 
the  priests'  in  the  great  chorus  to  Bel,  bestower  of 
all  Babylon's  bright  glory :  — 

"  Bel-Marduk,  who  rulest  forever, 
Thee,  thee  we  praise !  " 

The  music  throbbed  faster  and  faster,  the  players 
breaking  into  ever  madder  melodies,  as  though  their 
music  was  answering  to  the  mounting  and  throbbing 
of  the  wine.  Belshazzar  had  sunk  back  on  his  couch 
in  contented  re  very,  scarce  watching  the  dancers. 
What  king  of  the  Chaldees  before  him  had  opened 
his  reign  with  a  fairer  triumph?  Already  to  Bel- 
shazzar's  vision  the  artists  were  portraying  upon 
the  palace  walls,  in  imperishable  stone  and  enamel, 
the  mighty  deeds  of  the  all- victorious  son  of  Na- 
bonidus.  Already  before  the  king's  mind  Media, 
Armenia,  Egypt,  and  farthest  Tartary  lay  conquered. 
Nay,  the  barbarous  tribes  of  the  Greeks  beside 
their  distant  sea  should  learn  to  pay  tribute  to  the 
monarch  of  "  Babylon  the  Great."  But  the  king's 
dreaming  ended  when  Avil  touched  his  elbow  and 


384  BELSHAZZAR 

whispered  in  his  ear.  And  at  the  next  interval  in 
the  dances  Belshazzar  had  a  command  for  the  chief 
of  the  eunuchs :  — 

"Hasten.  Bring  us  the  captured  vessels,  sacred 
to  the  gods  of  the  nations  I  and  the  great  kings  my 
fathers  have  put  to  shame.  For  we  will  drink  from 
them  to  the  deities  whose  favour  is  upon  Babylon." 

An  expected  order,  and  quickly  obeyed.  The 
eunuchs  put  in  the  hands  of  the  captains,  the  harem 
girls,  and  the  musicians,  innumerable  fresh  goblets 
of  gold  and  silver,  of  many  and  curious  patterns. 
But  to  Belshazzar  Mermaza  bore  three  golden  drink- 
ing-cups,  each  huge  and  crusted  with  jewels.  Then 
the  king  took  the  first  and  raised  himself  from  the 
couch  before  the  vast  throng.  What  with  his  tiara, 
his  own  fair  stature,  and  his  lofty  seat,  he  seemed 
a  god  indeed. 

"  Again,  lords  of  the  Chaldees ! "  he  commanded, 
"drink  again!  I  hold  the  goblet  used  by  Pharaoh 
Necho,  in  worship  of  Ammon-Ra,  his  god.  Nebuchad 
nezzar  took  it  in  the  great  battle  of  Karkhemish. 
Where  is  the  power  of  Ammon  against  our  Babylon 
ish  gods  ?  "  Belshazzar  held  the  glittering  goblet  on 
high.  "  Rise,  Ammon,  god  of  Egypt,  rise !  Thou  art 
mocked !  Display  thy  power  ! "  Perfect  silence, 
and  the  king  shouted  again,  "  Drink  then  with  me, 
since  Ammon  lies  helpless,  a  pledge  to  our  great 
Istar,  4  the  Lady  of  Battles ' ! " 

"Hail!  Hail  to  Istar!"  from  a  thousand,  and 
they  drank  the  pledge. 


THE  WARNING   OF  JEHOVAH  385 

A  second  goblet  was  in  Belshazzar's  hand;  and 
again  he  called :  "  Look  —  a  vessel  taken  from  the 
temple  of  Assur  in  Nineveh,  when  our  fathers  sacked 
the  city.  Rise,  Assur,  —  rise,  god  of  Assyria  !  Thou 
art  mocked.  —  Helpless  also  —  drink  therefore  again, 
a  pledge  to  our  Samas, '  the  Glory  of  the  Heavens ' !  " 

"  Hail  to  Samas,  the  undying  sun  god  ! "  was  the 
tumultuous  answer.  But  the  king  had  not  ended. 

"  Look,  warriors  and  princes !  I  hold  the  goblet 
taken  from  Jerusalem,  from  the  temple  of  the 
impotent  demon  the  shambling  Jews  and  flying 
Persians  fear.  When  did  Jehovah  save  Zedekiah 
the  Hebrew  out  of  the  Chaldee's  power  ?  And  how 
now  shall  Cyrus,  who  cries  to  him  under  the  name 
of  Ahura,  find  deliverance  from  my  hands?  For 
Cyrus  has  turned  away  ashamed,  his  vassals  fail 
him,  his  god  is  helpless,  his  power  is  broken! 
Victorious  war  is  before  your  king,  and  empire  never 
won  before ! " 

"  Victory  !  Victory  to  Belshazzar,  the  favoured  of 
Marduk !  "  so  the  vast  company  cried ;  and  the  king 
yet  a  third  time  uplifted  a  goblet. 

"Rise,  Jehovah,  or  Ahura,  —  whatever  be  thy 
name,  —  rise;  thou  art  mocked!"  Again  the  pause 
and  stillness,  then  the  shout  of  the  king:  "  Rise,  rise  ! 
thou  who  art  boasted  all-powerful.  I  defy  thee,  I 
laugh  thee  to  scorn."  The  great  cup  was  nearing  his 
lips.  "  For  the  third  and  last  pledge,  men  of  Baby 
lon  —  to  Bel-Marduk,  whose  power  waxeth  forever ; 
who  shall  be  praised  a  thousand  ages  after  the  Per- 


386  BELSHAZZAE, 

sians'   and   Hebrews'   god   is    forgotten!      To    Bel- 
Marduk,  lord  of  lords,  and  god  of  gods,  drink ! " 

But  as  every  man  lifted  his  own  wine-cup,  and  the 
shout  of  the  pledge  was  on  his  tongue,  there  was 
suddenly  a  silence.  The  goblet  fell  from  the  royal 
fingers.  They  saw  terror  flash  across  the  king's 
face  as  he  looked  upward ;  and  each  beheld  some 
thing  moving  against  the  plastered  wall.  .  .  . 


NABU  BETRAYS  BEL-MARDUK 


CHAPTER  XXV 

SINCE  first  dusk  the  army  of  Cyrus  had  been  in 
motion :  the  horse-archers  of  Tartary,  the  Hin 
doo  infantry,  the  Persian  lancers.  The  army  marched 
in  silence,  no  kettle-drums  thundering,  no  war-horns 
blaring,  the  commands  sent  softly  down  the  long 
line,  from  officer  to  officer.  When  the  last  bars  of 
light  had  flickered  out  in  the  west,  there  had  come  a 
halt;  bread  and  wine  were  passed  among  the  men, 
the  horses  were  watered  in  a  canal :  and  Orasmasdes, 
chief  of  the  Magians,  shook  incense  into  the  portable 
altar  carried  beside  the  king,  and  offered  prayer. 
Softly  yet  clearly  rose  the  song  in  praise  of  Mithra, 
the  great  minister  of  Ahura-Mazda :  — 

"  His  chariot  is  borne  onward  by  Holiness. 
The  law  of  Ahura  shall  open  the  way  for  him ; 
At  his  right  hand  speeds  Obedience  the  holy, 
At  his  left  hand  flies  powerful  Justice, 
Behind  him  drives  lie-smiting  Fire !  " 

When  the  chant  was  finished  the  General  Gobryas 
rode  up  beside  the  royal  chariot. 

"  Lord  of  the  Aryans,  what  shall  be  the  battle-cry 
to-night?" 

387 


388  BELSHAZZAK 

And  Cyrus,  leaning  from  the  car,  made  answer, 
"  Give  this  battle-cry  to  the  host,  as  it  shall  enter 
Babylon,  —  4  For  Ahura,  for  Atossa ! '  * 

The  officer  bowed,  vanished  in  the  deepening  gloom. 
Cyrus  turned  to  his  charioteer.  "  Forward !  "  he 
commanded  softly. 

The  reins  shook  over  the  white  Nisseans.  As  the 
chariot  moved  onward,  the  thousands  made  haste  to 
follow.  Once  Atrobanes,  the  "  handkerchief -bearer," 
who  cantered  beside  his  lord,  ventured  remonstrance. 

"Will  not  your  Majesty  take  your  litter?  My 
lord  is  not  so  young  as  once.  If  he  drive  all  night, 
he  will  grow  weary." 

Cyrus  stood  erect  upon  the  car,  taller  seemingly 
than  ever. 

"  Peace,  good  friend ;  the  king  of  the  Aryans  has 
at  least  the  strength  to  ride  when  his  children  are 
marching,  and  with  such  a  prize  before  !  " 

"  True,"  quoth  the  other,  as  he  rode  beside,  "  even 
your  Majesty  does  not  often  stretch  forth  his  hands 
to  take  a  Babylon." 

"Do  you  think  I  ride  for  Babylon  this  night?" 
demanded  the  king,  almost  angrily. 

But  Atrobanes  did  not  reply ;  he  knew  the  guerdon 
of  all  the  deeds  that  night  would  not  be  "  The  Lady 
of  Kingdoms  "  but  the  Lady  Atossa. 

So  onward  in  the  darkness,  the  trailing  host 
keeping  wondrously  still.  They  had  wound  wisps 
of  hay  around  shield  and  scabbard  and  over  the 
horses'  hoofs  to  deaden  all  noise.  As  the  night 


NABU   BETKAYS   BEL-MARDUK          389 

advanced,  the  sense  of  awe  sank  deeper.  Even  the 
beasts  gave  no  whinny ;  only  as  one  clapped  an  ear 
close  to  the  earth  would  he  have  caught  the  jar  and 
rhythm  of  many  men  marching.  The  sky  along  one 
horizon  was  just  beginning  to  overcast  and  hide  a 
few  stars.  Soldier  muttered  to  soldier,  "  There  will 
be  a  storm,  —  lightning  and  thunder."  But  for  the 
hour  all  the  elements  kept  silence,  with  no  wind 
creeping  across  the  plain  or  lifting  the  lifeless  pen 
nons. 

Cyrus  had  ridden  long  without  speaking,  when 
the  muffled  canter  of  two  horsemen  sounded,  ap 
proaching  from  ahead.  A  moment  later  Darius  and 
Isaiah  were  reining  beside  the  monarch's  car. 

"  You  meet  nothing  ?  no  alarm  ?  no  watchers  ?  " 
asked  the  king  in  a  whisper. 

"  None,  lord,"  answered  Darius ;  "  we  rode  to  the 
shadow  of  the  outer  wall  ;  there  was  no  sentry  to 
challenge  us." 

"  The  stillness  may  be  ominous,"  remarked  Cyrus, 
shrewdly  —  "  a  pretended  carelessness  to  lure  us  under 
the  walls,  when  Belshazzar  can  fling  wide  his  sally 
ports  and  dash  on  us  with  his  thousands.  And  you 
did  grievous  wrong  in  perilling  your  lives  so  near." 

"Am  I  not  a  Persian  too,  your  Majesty?"  answered 
the  prince  in  his  pride ;  "  have  I  not  learned  to  dare 
and  to  do  from  you  and  from  none  other  ?  " 

"  True,"  they  knew  Cyrus  was  smiling,  "  but  Bel 
shazzar  may  nevertheless  have  set  a  trap." 

"Then  the  Babylonians'  guile  is  deeper  yet,"  re- 


390  BELSHAZZAE,      - 

plied  Darius ;  "  you  do  not  see,  my  lord,  in  the  dark 
ness,  who  it  is  Isaiah  has  mounted  behind  him." 

"  A  deserter  from  Babylon  ?  " 

"  Imbi-Ilu,  the  exiled  pontiff  of  Borsippa,  just  come 
from  the  city.  Let  him  speak  for  himself." 

The  chariot  halted,  while  a  figure  leaped  to  the 
ground  from  behind  the  Jew,  and  salaamed  before 
the  king. 

"May  every  god  shine  on  your  Majesty,"  Imbi 
reported;  "at  no  small  peril  your  slave  disguised 
himself  as  commanded  and  entered  Babylon.  He 
has  communicated  with  Bilsandan  the  vizier,  and  Siru- 
sur  the  Tartan.  They  accept  your  Majesty's  promises, 
and  rejoice  to  become  your  servants,  —  the  more  be 
cause  Avil-Marduk  works  hourly  on  Belshazzar  to 
gain  their  ruin.  The  guards  on  the  gates  have  been 
withdrawn  by  Sirusur,  the  rest  of  the  garrison  is  nigh 
drunken  to  a  man.  My  priests  at  Borsippa  swear 
they  will  not  fail." 

"  The  garrison  drunken  ?  Is  Belshazzar  mad ; 
does  he  think  my  power  shattered  so  utterly  ?  "  asked 
Cyrus,  marvelling. 

"  Be  that  as  it  may,  my  king,"  interposed  Isaiah, 
"while  we  awaited  Imbi-Ilu  under  the  walls,  we 
heard  from  within  nothing  else  than  the  sound  of 
music  and  of  revelling.  The  Chaldees  are  not  Per 
sians.  Their  god  is  the  wine-cup,  if  the  truth  be 
told.  Jehovah  has  caught  them  in  their  wickedness. 
He  has  led  them  into  the  net  prepared  by  His  ser 
vants." 


NABU   BETRAYS   BEL-MARDUK          391 

"  So  be  it,"  remarked  Cyrus ;  then  to  the  priest 
he  hinted  sternly,  "  Your  friends  will  do  well  to  keep 
troth.  Let  there  be  treachery  in  this,  and  I  swear 
by  your  gods  and  by  mine,  I  will  lift  your  head  from 
your  shoulders ! " 

The  Babylonian  was  not  discomposed.  "  And  I 
accept  the  warning;  if  I  or  my  priests  of  Nabu 
play  false,  do  to  me  as  you  will.  But  if  Babylon  is 
taken  —  " 

"  You  shall  not  fail  in  your  reward,"  declared 
Cyrus,  "  on  the  word  of  a  Persian  king ;  I  renew  my 
promise  of  the  high  priesthood  of  Bel-Marduk  in 
Avil's  stead." 

"  Forward  then,"  urged  the  Chaldee ;  "  let  the  king 
possess  his  city." 

The  charioteer  made  the  lash  whistle,  the  car  whirled 
forward.  The  shadow  of  the  great  walls  was  above 
them  now ;  -speed,  not  silence,  demanded ;  the  guards 
about  the  king  pricked  with  the  spur  to  keep  beside. 
Darius  spoke  again  to  Cyrus :  — 

"  Lord,  Imbi-Ilu  tells  us  that  at  midnight  Belshaz- 
zar  quits  his  bridal  feast." 

Cyrus  shot  a  glance  up  at  the  heavens,  where  the 
advancing  clouds  had  not  yet  quenched  all  the  star 
light. 

"  By  the  movement  of  the  stars,  it  lacks  three  hours 
of  midnight,"  he  answered. 

"  We  must  therefore  take  all  Babylon  in  three 
hours.  Away  with  prudence ;  haste,  oh,  haste  ! " 
cried  the  prince. 


392  BELSHAZZAK 

But  Cyrus  spoke  back  to  him,  "  If  so  Ahura  will- 
eth,  in  three  twinklings  of  an  eye  we  could  yet  save 
Atossa !  " 

But,  notwithstanding,  they  heard  the  king's  great 
voice  swell  out  in  a  shout  that  was  music  in  the  ears 
of  all  the  army. 

"  Forward,  men  of  Iran  ! " 

It  was  the  word  that  let  the  hounds  slip  from  the 
leash,  that  uncaged  the  lion.  Directly  above  their 
heads  was  the  beetling  rampart ;  they  saw  the  glassy 
shimmer  of  the  broad  canal  under  the  vanishing  stars, 
and  they  heard  —  from  within  the  vast  bulwark,  even 
as  Isaiah  had  said  —  the  sound  of  mirth  and  of  harp 
ing.  The  footmen  burst  into  a  run,  every  horseman 
pricked  deeper,  while  one  shout,  though  in  many 
tongues,  echoed  against  the  fortress. 

"  The  Father !  The  Father !  Let  us  die  for  Cyrus 
our  king ! " 

Then  the  battlements  surely  quivered  while  a 
second  shout  smote  them,  "  For  Ahura,  for  Atossa ! " 

The  echoes  died;  no  battle-cry  from  behind  the 
walls  pealed  in  answer.  The  column  was  skirting 
the  southern  rampart,  when  yet  another  messenger 
flew  up  beside  the  king. 

"I  come  from  the  Princes  Harpagus  and  Hystas- 
pes;  their  troopers  are  in  station  before  the  north 
ern  city.  They  attack  as  soon  as  the  uproar  proclaims 
that  the  king  is  assaulting." 

No  answer  from  Cyrus,  for  the  van  was  beside  the 
water-gate  of  the  great  canal  of  Borsippa.  The 


NABU  BETRAYS  BEL-MAKDUK    393 

column  perforce  had  halted.  The  last  stars  had  fled. 
It  was  very  dark.  The  walls  above  seemed  barriers 
lifted  to  the  very  gates  of  heaven ;  undefended,  might 
not  Belshazzar's  city  mock  its  mightiest  foe?  The 
canal  was  creeping  through  the  dark  cage-work  of 
the  bronze  water-gate.  For  an  instant  was  stillness, 
while  king  and  soldier  waited ;  and  then,  all  vaguely, 
they  saw  the  great  fabric  of  metal  rising,  crawling 
like  a  sluggish  monster  from  its  slimy  bed.  Unseen 
chains  and  pulleys  strained,  grated;  the  gate  rose 
higher ;  now  the  canal  coursed  freely  under,  now  it 
was  lifted  to  the  height  of  a  mounted  man.  Close 
under  the  wall  lay  a  causeway,  wide  enough  for  a 
single  cavalryman  to  enter.  Nimitti-Bel  was  un 
sealed  ! 

Out  of  the  darkness  appeared  figures  and  flickering 
torches. 

"  Live  forever,  O  king,"  spoke  Sirusur  the  betayer, 
"  the  city  is  sunken  in  mirth  and  drunkenness.  For 
ward  boldly — you  will  dash  the  wine-cup  from  Bel 
shazzar's  own  hand." 

Cyrus  started  to  descend  from  the  chariot. 

"  A  horse,"  he  commanded  abruptly ;  "  there  is  no 
space  for  the  car  to  enter." 

But  at  his  words  one  cry  of  protest  arose  from 
Darius  and  all  the  officers,  "  The  king  will  not  him 
self  enter  the  city !  " 

"Not  enter?"  Cyrus's  voice  became  stern  and 
high.  "Am  I  not  king?  To  whom  may  I  give 
account?" 


394  BELSHAZZAB, 

None  stirred  to  obey  him.  Moments  were  rubies ; 
the  monarch  was  swelling  with  anger. 

"  Have  I  not  commanded  ?  I  can  yet  be  terrible 
to  the  disobedient.  I  am  still  the  '  Giver  of  Breath ' 
to  all  Iran!" 

But  the  others  stood  mute  and  motionless.  The 
preciousness  of  the  hour  made  Cyrus  blind  to  all  save 
his  desires.  He  bounded  from  the  car,  and  snatched 
a  mounted  officer  with  a  giant's  clutch. 

"  Down !  Your  horse  !  "  he  commanded  thickly. 
The  man  was  helpless  in  that  grasp,  but  suddenly  a 
dozen  hands  were  put  forth  upon  the  king  himself. 

"  Lord,"  said  Gobryas,  the  senior  general  present, 
"  we  cannot  suffer  this  thing.  Your  Majesty  must 
remain  without  the  gates  till  your  slaves  have  mas 
tered  the  city." 

The  king  struggled  to  be  free. 

"  Must  ?  Not  even  you  may  use  that  word  to  me. 
As  Ahura  liveth,  you  shall  die  for  this  madness." 

But  the  others  did  not  release  him. 

"Lord,"  repeated  Gobryas,  "when  your  Majesty 
wills,  I  bow  my  neck  to  the  stroke ;  but  till  then,  I 
love  the  4  Light  of  the  Aryans '  too  well  to  see  it 
quenched,  even  at  its  wish." 

"But  I  implore  you  —  "protested  the  king,  for 
commands  were  useless. 

And  Gobryas  answered,  "We  love  the  king  too 
well  even  to  heed  his  prayers." 

Cyrus  gave  one  bitter  groan,  but  he  remounted  the 
chariot  and  said  no  more. 


NABU   BETEAYS   BEL-MAEDUK          395 

"  Advance,"  entreated  Sirusur ;  "  every  instant 
gives  Belshazzar  chance  to  take  alarm,  and  my  work 
is  undone ! " 

"We  will  enter,"  spoke  Darius;  and  in  the  faint 
torchlight  they  saw  Cyrus  bow  his  head.  Then 
every  officer  bent  low  in  the  saddle,  saluting  the 
king.  The  host  behind  was  fretting  and  wondering 
at  the  strange  delay.  But  once  more  the  king's  com 
mand  rang  out  strong.  "Forward,  my  children! 
And  swiftly  —  your  father  prays  it !  " 

"  For  Ahura,  for  Atossa ! " 

So  thundered  Darius,  and  as  all  the  rest  rolled  on 
the  cry,  he  sent  his  steed  at  headlong  gallop  straight 
through  the  narrow  portal;  after  him  Isaiah,  after 
him  the  choicest  of  the  Aryan  cavalry.  Within 
the  gate  the  priests  of  Nabu  met  them  with  more 
horses  and  torches  to  guide  them  on  their  way ;  for 
the  Borsippa  folk's  hatred  of  Avil-Marduk  passed 
their  dread  of  the  Persian.  Darius  glanced  over  his 
shoulder,  —  the  gate  had  been  forced  wide  open, 
the  sword-hands  and  lancers  of  his  people  were 
pouring  in  by  tens,  by  hundreds.  The  gate  of 
Imgur-Bel  opened  wide  for  them.  Let  Belshazzar 
defend  his  inner  barrier  as  he  might,  the  strongest 
were  lost  him.  The  night  was  darker  yet,  the 
storm  was  rumbling  nearer.  But  far  away,  down 
the  long  vista  of  Nana  Street  shone  a  dull  redness 
against  an  inky  sky  —  the  torches  and  bonfires  of 
the  palace,  where  the  Lord  of  the  Chaldees  sat  at 
feast. 


396  BELSPIAZZAR, 

Darius  pressed  the  spur  until  his  good  beast  almost 
screamed  with  the  pain. 

"  The  City  of  the  Lie  is  ours !  "  he  cried  to  Isaiah, 
who  flew  beside  him,  while  a  thousand  raged  close 
behind.  "Ours!  And  Belshazzar  is  ours!  —  and 
Atossa ! " 


CHAPTER   XXVI 

nriHERE  on  the  wall  the  letters  glowed,  right  under 
JL  the  torch-holder ;  glowed  like  ruddy  fire,  the 
whole  dread  inscription  spreading  in  one  long,  terrible 
line  under  the  eyes  of  king  and  nobles.  While  Bel- 
shazzar  looked,  his  bronzed  cheeks  turned  ashen.  The 
awful  hand  had  vanished  the  instant  the  sentence 
was  written,  —  gone  —  whither  ?  The  lord  of  the 
Chaldees  gazed  upon  his  servants,  and  they  —  back  at 
their  master,  while  none  spoke.  But  the  letters  did 
not  vanish;  their  steadfast  light  burned  calmly  on. 
Then  came  another  fearful  deed ;  for  Belshazzar 
caught  the  golden  cup  that  had  fallen  from  his  hand, 
and  dashed  it  against  the  wall.  A  great  square  of 
the  plaster  fell,  but  lo !  the  letters  were  burning  still. 
Then  new  silence,  while  every  man  heard  the  beatings 
of  his  heart  and  thought  on  his  unholy  deeds. 

But  the  stillness  could  not  last  forever.  Belshazzar 
broke  it.  The  pallor  was  still  on  his  face,  his  knees 
smote  together,  his  voice  quivered;  but  he  was 
kinglier  than  the  rest,  even  in  his  fear,  —  he  at 
least  was  brave  enough  for  speech. 

"Ho  !  captains  of  Babylon  !     Why  do  we  gape  like 

397 


398  BELSHAZZAR 

purblind  sheep  ?  A  notable  miracle  from  the  gods ! 
Some  new  favour,  no  doubt,  vouchsafed  by  Marduk  !  " 

No  one  answered ;  all  strength  had  fled  from  the 
stoutest  sword-hand.  Belshazzar's  voice  rose  to  a 
sterner  pitch,  as  he  faced  the  array  of  priests. 

"  What  mean  these  letters  ?  They  are  not  the 
characters  of  the  Chaldee.  Their  meaning?  Here 
are  learned  men,  wise  in  every  tongue.  Translate  to 
us!" 

Still  no  answer ;  and  the  king's  wrath  now  mastered 
all  his  fears. 

"  Fools  ! "  his  hand  was  on  his  sword-hilt ;  "  Mar 
duk  has  not  added  to  the  miracle  by  smiting  all 
dumb."  He  confronted  the  "  chief  of  the  omen- 
revealers,"  who  stood  close  to  the  dais. 

"  Here,  Gamilu,  this  falls  within  your  duties.  Look 
on  the  writing.  Interpret  without  delay ;  or,  as 
Marduk  is  god,  another  has  your  office  ! " 

Gamilu,  a  venerable  pontiff,  lifted  his  head,  and 
stared  at  the  inscription.  He  mumbled  inaudibly, 
but  the  royal  eye  was  on  him.  With  vain  show  of 
confidence  he  commenced :  — 

"  Live  forever,  lord  of  the  Chaldees !  A  fortunate 
sign,  on  a  doubly  fortunate  day !  This  is  the  word 
which  Bel,  the  sovereign  god,  has  sent  to  his  dearly 
loved  son,  the  ever  victorious  king,  Belshazzar  — " 

But  here  he  stopped,  bravado  failing.  Thrice  he 
muttered  wildly,  then  grew  still.  The  king's  rage 
was  terrible.  "  Juggler !  you  shall  learn  to  mock 
me.  Nabu  destroy  me  too,  if  you  are  living  at  dawn !  " 


THE   FULFILMENT   OF   JEHOVAH        399 

The  luckless  man  fell  on  his  knees,  tearing  his 
beard :  his  one  groan  was,  "  Mercy."  Belshazzar 
heeded  little.  "  You  other  priests,  —  you  the  chief 
'  demon-ejector,'  —  do  you  speak !  The  meaning  ?  " 

A  second  wretch  cast  himself  before  the  king. 
"Pity,  Ocean  of  Generosity,  pity!  I  do  not 
know." 

The  king  wasted  no  curse.  "  You,  Kalduin,  '  master 
of  the  star-gazers/  who  boast  to  be  wisest  astrologer 
in  Babylon,  —  look  on  the  writing.  I  declare  that  if 
you,  or  any  other,  can  read  these  letters,  and  make 
known  to  me  the  interpretation,  he  shall  be  clothed 
in  scarlet,  and  a  chain  of  gold  put  about  his  neck, 
and  he  shall  be  third  ruler  of  the  kingdom,  next  to 
Avil  and  myself." 

But  Kalduin  also  fell  on  his  knees,  groaning  and 
moaning.  Belshazzar  turned  to  Avil-Marduk,  who 
had  not  spoken  since  the  apparition,  and  who  was 
still  exceeding  pale.  "  Avil !  "  the  accent  of  the  king 
was  icy  chill,  "if  you  are  truly  the  mouthpiece  of 
your  god,  prove  your  power.  Interpret !  " 

Then  came  a  wondrous  thing,  even  on  that  night 
of  wonders.  For  the  chief  priest,  to  whom  Babylon 
had  cringed  as  almost  to  the  king,  cowered  on  the 
rugs  by  the  royal  couch.  "  Lord !  Lord ! "  he 
moaned  in  fear,  "  I  know  not.  I  cannot  tell.  Mercy ! 
Spare ! " 

Belshazzar  shook  his  kingly  head  as  might  a  desert 
lion,  he  alone  steadfast,  while  a  thousand  were 
trembling. 


400  BELSHAZZAR 

"  And  is  there  no  man  in  all  Babylon  who  can  read 
this  writing  ?  "  was  his  thunder. 

There  was  a  rustling  beside  him.  From  her  chair 
the  aged  queen-mother,  Tavat-Hasina,  leaned  forward. 
"  Your  Majesty,"  she  whispered,  from  pale  lips,  "  live 
forever.  Let  not  your  thoughts  trouble  you.  There 
is  a  man  in  your  kingdom  in  whom  is  the  spirit  of 
the  holy  gods." 

"  What  man  ?  "  demanded  Belshazzar.  Every  eye 
was  on  the  queen,  who  continued :  — 

"  In  the  days  of  your  father,  light  and  understand 
ing  like  the  wisdom  of  the  gods  were  found  in  him ; 
and  King  Nebuchadnezzar  made  him  master  of 
the  magicians  and  soothsayers,  because  an  excellent 
knowledge  and  interpretation  of  dreams  and  dissolv 
ing  of  doubts  was  found  in  him." 

"  Ay !  The  man  !  His  name  !  "  The  king  snatched 
her  wrist  roughly.  Many  voices  reechoed,  "  The 
man !  His  name  !  Send  for  him  !  Send !  " 

The  queen-mother  looked  steadily  into  Belshazzar's 
eyes. 

"  The  name  of  the  man  is  Daniel,  whom  the  king 
called  Belteshazzar ;  now  let  Daniel  be  called,  and  he 
will  show  the  interpretation." 

But  the  words  were  like  fire  thrust  into  the  king's 
face.  He  recoiled  from  her;  the  ashen  gray  came 
back  to  his  cheeks.  "  Not  Daniel !  I  will  never  see 
him  !  I  have  sworn  it !  Not  he  !  Not  he  !  " 

So  cried  the  king.  But  from  all  the  captains  rose 
one  clamour :  — 


THE   FULFILMENT   OF  JEHOVAH        401 

"  Send  for  Daniel !  He  is  the  only  hope.  He 
alone  can  reveal.  Send !  Send ! " 

Avil  found  courage  to  rise  and  whisper  in  the 
royal  ear,  "  Let  all  Babylon  burn,  ere  the  king  craves 
one  boon  of  this  villanous  Jew ! " 

"  Never !  I  will  not  send,"  cried  Belshazzar.  But 
as  he  saw  again  that  burning  line,  he  grew  yet  paler. 

"  Daniel !  Daniel !  We  are  lost  if  the  writing  is 
longer  hid !  Send  for  the  Jew  ! " 

The  captains  were  waxing  mutinous.  Scabbards 
clattered.  Would  the  feast  end  in  rebellion  ?  Bel 
shazzar  addressed  Mermaza.  "  Eunuch,  go  to  the 
innermost  prison  and  bring  Daniel  hither  without 
delay." 

"  Hold !  "  cried  Avil,  at  the  top  of  his  voice ;  "  what 
god  can  speak  through  his  lips  ?  Is  the  king  of 
Babylon  sunk  so  low  — " 

"  Read  and  interpret  yourself,  priest,"  bawled  an 
old  officer ;  and  from  fifty  fellows  rose  the  yell  : 
"Away  with  Avil-Marduk.  It  is  he  who  angers 
heaven ! " 

"  Shall  I  go,  lord  ?  "  questioned  Mermaza,  and  Bel 
shazzar  only  nodded  his  head. 

Then  there  was  silence  once  more,  while  monarch 
and  servants  watched  those  letters  burning  on  the 
wall.  Presently  —  after  how  long  !  —  there  were 
feet  heard  in  the  outer  court,  the  clanking  of  chains  ; 
then  right  into  the  glare  and  glitter  came  Mermaza, 
followed  by  two  soldiers ;  and  betwixt  these  an  old 
man,  squalid,  unkempt,  clothed  in  rags,  the  fetters 


402  BELSHAZZAR 

still  on  wrist  and  ankle.  But  at  sight  of  him  a  hun 
dred  knelt  to  worship. 

"  Help  us,  noble  Jew !  Make  known  the  writing, 
that  we  may  obey  heaven,  and  may  not  die !  "  One 
and  all  cried  it.  But  Daniel  heeded  nothing  until 
he  stood  before  the  king. 

As  Belshazzar  rose  from  his  couch  to  speak,  a  cry 
broke  forth  from  Ruth.  "  My  father !  My  father ! 
Help  me !  Save  me ! "  Almost  she  would  have 
flown  to  his  arms,  but  he  outstretched  a  manacled 
hand,  beckoning  away. 

"  Not  now,  daughter.  On  another  errand  have  I 
come."  Then  to  the  king,  "Your  Majesty,  I  am 
here." 

Belshazzar  tried  vainly  to  meet  the  piercing  eye 
of  the  Jew.  His  own  voice  was  metallic,  while  he 
groped  for  words. 

"Are  you  that  Daniel,  of  the  captive  Hebrews, 
whom  Nebuchadnezzar  brought  out  of  Judea?" 
Where  were  the  king's  wits  fled,  that  he  asked  this 
of  the  man  so  long  known  and  hated  ?  A  stately  nod 
was  his  reply. 

"  I  have  heard  that  the  spirit  of  the  gods  is  in  you, 
and  light  and  understanding  and  excellent  wisdom. 
And  now  the  wise  men  and  astrologers  have  been 
brought  to  read  this  writing,  and  to  interpret,  but 
they  could  not.  And  I  have  heard  that  you  can 
make  interpretations  and  dissolve  doubts."  The 
king's  voice  faltered;  he  would  have  given  a  thou 
sand  talents  not  to  be  driven  to  speak  the  rest. 


THE   FULFILMENT  OF  JEHOVAH        403 

"  Now,  if  you  are  able  to  read  the  writing,  and  make 
known  the  interpretation,  you  shall  be  clothed  in 
scarlet,  and  have  a  chain  of  gold  about  your  neck, 
and  be  the  third  ruler  of  the  kingdom." 

No  response  :  Daniel  looked  straight  upon  Bel- 
shazzar,  and  again  Belshazzar  strove  to  shun  the 
captive's  gaze. 

"Will  you  not  speak?"  demanded  the  king. 
"Speak!  or  you  are  beaten  to  death!" 

Was  it  triumph  or  pity  that  lighted  the  old  Jew's 
face?  "Death?  My  times  are  in  mightier  hands 
than  yours,  O  king.  Answer  truly  —  will  you  have 
me  speak?  For  this  is  not  the  word  of  Bel." 

All  saw  Avil  leap  up,  as  if  in  creature  fear;  but 
Belshazzar  at  least  faced  Daniel  steadily,  with  all 
save  his  eyes. 

"  Answer  me  truly  —  be  it  good  or  ill.  But 
answer ! " 

The  king  stretched  forth  his  hands  to  the  Jew, 
imploring.  The  prophecy  was  fulfilled;  Belshazzar 
the  king  supplicated  Daniel  the  captive !  The  old 
man's  form  straightened;  he  swept  his  gaze  around 
that  company,  every  eye  obedient  to  his.  His  voice 
was  low,  yet  in  that  silence  each  whisper  swelled  to 
loudness. 

"Let  your  gifts  be  for  another,  O  king;  give  your 
rewards  to  another,  but  I  will  read  the  writing  to  the 
king,  and  make  known  the  interpretation." 

Then  he  told  the  tale  all  Babylon  knew  so  well, 
how  when  the  mighty  Nebuchadnezzar  hardened  his 


404  BELSHAZZAE 

heart  in  kingly  pride,  madness  smote  him,  and  made 
him  no  better  than  the  beasts,  till  after  living  seven 
years  thus  humbled,  he  came  to  himself,  and  knew  that 
the  Most  High  was  above  all  kings.  And  by  the  time 
the  tale  was  ended  the  silence  was  so  great,  that  even 
the  sputtering  torches  were  loud  to  hear.  Daniel 
stood  directly  before  the  dais ;  the  chains  rattled  as  he 
stretched  forth  a  finger,  and  pointed  into  the  king's 
face. 

"  But  you,  O  Belshazzar,  have  not  humbled  your 
heart,  though  you  knew  all  this;  but  have  lifted 
yourself  up  against  the  Lord  of  Heaven;  and  they 
have  brought  the  vessels  of  His  house  before  you, 
and  you,  and  your  lords,  and  your  women  have  drunk 
wine  in  them ;  and  you  have  praised  the  gods  of  sil 
ver,  of  gold,  of  brass,  iron,  wood,  and  stone,  which  see 
not,  nor  hear,  nor  know ;  and  the  God  in  whose  hand 
your  breath  is,  and  whose  are  all  your  ways,  you 
have  not  glorified.  Then  was  the  hand  sent  from 
Him,  and  this  writing  was  written." 

The  finger  pointed  toward  the  glowing  characters 
upon  the  wall.  "  And  this  is  the  writing  that  was 
written:  ' Mene,  Mene,  Tekel,  Upharsm.'  And  this  is 
the  interpretation :  '  Mene '  —  God  has  numbered  your 
kingdom  and  finished  it.  '  Tekel '  —  you  are  weighed 
in  the  balances  and  are  found  wanting.  '  Upharsin ' 
which  is  otherwise  '  Peres '  —  your  kingdom  is  divided 
and  given  to  the  Medes  and  the  Persians.".  .  . 

...  A  fearful  cry  was  rising;  captains  were  on 
their  faces,  groaning  to  Samas,  to  Istar,  to  Ramman : 


THE   FULFILMENT   OF   JEHOVAH        405 

"  Save  !  Save  from  the  wrath  of  Jehovah !  "  The 
workings  of  Belshazzar's  features  were  terrible 
to  behold.  Thrice  he  strove  to  speak,  —  his  lips 
moved  dumbly.  Then,  as  the  king  looked,  lo ! 
another  wonder.  The  fiery  words  were  gone,  and 
only  the  shattered  plaster  showed  where  they  had 
burned.  "  Woe !  Woe  !  "  all  were  moaning ;  but 
the  vanishing  of  the  letters  gave  back  to  Avil  his 
courage.  He  leaned  over,  whispering  to  the  king. 
In  an  instant  Belshazzar  uttered  a  hideous  laugh. 

"  Good !  By  Istar,  the  Jew  has  me  fairly  on  the 
hip  !  Clever  jugglery,  I  swear,  to  contrive  a  trick 
that  could  chase  the  blood  from  the  cheeks  of  the 
stoutest  captains  of  the  Chaldees !  Show  me  the 
conjurer;  I  will  pardon  and  reward.  A  clever  jest, 
my  princes,  a  clever  jest." 

The  shout  died  away  in  profound  silence.  The 
king  grasped  a  goblet  once  more.  "  By  Nabu,  the 
jest  is  so  well  played,  you  still  wander  for  wits. 
Daniel  must  have  reward.  Ho  !  Mermaza ;  the  robe 
of  honour  and  the  chain  of  gold.  Off  with  these  rags 
and  fetters.  Behold  in  Daniel  the  third  prince  of 
the  kingdom.  Set  a  new  seat  on  the  dais.  A  health 
to  his  Highness ! "  He  drained  the  cup,  then  in  a 
darker  tone,  directly  at  the  Hebrew :  "  This  is  the 
promised  reward.  But  when  at  midnight  I  quit  the 
feast,  if  your  prophecy  is  not  fulfilled,  you  die  the  per 
jurer's  death,  for  mocking  thus  your  king." 

Daniel  answered  nothing.  The  eunuchs  pried  off 
his  fetters,  put  on  him  the  robe  and  the  golden  chain. 


406  BELSHAZZAR 

They  set  him  in  a  chair  beside  Belshazzar,  offering 
a  jewelled  goblet.  He  took  it,  tasting  only  once. 
Avil  had  risen,  in  vain  effort  to  fuse  the  company 
with  the  same  mad  merriment  affected  by  himself  and 
the  king. 

"I  congratulate  Prince  Daniel,  my  colleague  in 
government !  Another  health  to  him,  and  to  our 
4  ever-to-be-adored '  Queen  Atossa.  Strike  up,  harpers ; 
raise  the  triumph  hymn  to  Bel  once  more." 

With  reluctant  fingers  the  musicians  smote  harp 
and  zither,  the  choir  of  priests  and  maidens  lifted 
quavering  voices,  —  sang  a  few  measures,  —  the  weak 
notes  died  away  into  ghastly  stillness.  Every  eye 
crept  furtively  up  to  the  square  of  shattered  plaster. 
Then,  as  if  in  desperation,  and  bound  to  hide  his  master 
ing  fears,  a  "captain  of  a  hundred"  motioned  to  a 
eunuch. 

"  Wine,  fellow,  wine,  heady  enough  to  chase  these 
black  imps  away!  Let  us  drink  ourselves  to  sleep, 
and  forget  the  portent  by  the  morning." 

"  Wine ! "  echoed  all,  "  more  wine !  Surely  the 
Jew  has  lied.  Forget  him! " 

The  revels  were  resumed.  The  torches  flared  above 
the  king  of  the  Chaldees  and  all  his  lords  draining 
their  liquor,  —  beaker  on  beaker,  —  in  one  mad,  vain 
hope  —  to  drown  out  their  own  dark  thoughts. 
The  fiery  apparition  had  vanished  from  the  plaster 
only  to  glow  before  the  uncertain  vision  of  each  and 
all.  Soon  rose  drunken  laughter,  more  fearful  than 
any  scream  or  moaning. 


THE   FULFILMENT   OF   JEHOVAH        407 

Avil  at  least  kept  sober.  Once  he  turned  to  Mer- 
maza. 

41  What  are  these  flashes  ?  The  lamps  cast  shadow. 
And  this  rumbling?  " 

44  A  storm  approaches,  though  still  far  off." 

44  Foul  omen  at  this  season ! "  answered  Avil,  and 
under  breath  —  scoffer  that  he  was  —  he  muttered  a 
spell  against  the  44  rain-fiends." 

Atossa  sat  on  her  own  high  seat,  watching,  waiting, 
wondering.  One  can  hardly  say  whether  she  had 
hopes  or  fears.  She  had  not  spoken  since  the  mir 
acle.  What  followed  she  remembered  as  she  would 
recall  a  dim  memory  of  long  ago.  Daniel  was  sit 
ting  by  her  side.  Once  she  ventured,  despite  Bel- 
shazzar's  frown,  to  speak  to  him. 

44  My  father,  the  spirit  of  the  holy  Ahura  is  on 
you.  Tell  me,  shall  we  be  saved,  you,  and  Ruth 
and  I,  from  the  power  of  these  *  Lovers  of 
Night'?" 

And  Daniel,  calm,  unblenching,  sober,  amid  a 
hundred  gibbering  drunkards,  answered  with  a  confi 
dence  not  of  this  world :  "  My  child,  we  shall  be 
saved.  Doubt  it  not;  but  whether  we  be  saved  in 
this  body,  or  depart  to  see  Jehovah's  face,  He  know- 
eth,  not  I.  But  His  will  is  ever  good." 

The  king  interrupted  boisterously,  with  unveiled 
mockery :  — 

44  Give  wisdom,  noble  Daniel.  Shall  I  rebuild  the 
walls  of  Uruk  or  spend  the  money  on  new  canals  at 
Sippar?" 


408  BELSHAZZAK 

The  Hebrew  made  the  king  wince  once  more,  as 
he  looked  on  him. 

"Lord  of  Babylon,  think  no  more  on  walls  and 
cities.  Think  of  your  past  deeds.  Think  of  the  Just 
Spirit  before  whom  you  must  stand." 

"  Verily,  Jew,"  sneered  Avil,  "  you  will  play  your 
mad  game  to  the  end." 

"  To  the  end,"  was  all  the  answer ;  but  neither 
king  nor  pontiff  made  mock  of  Daniel  again. 

Deeper  the  drinking,  madder  the  revelling.  From 
the  outer  palace  rose  the  laughter  of  soldiers  and 
the  city  folk.  The  priests  of  Bel  at  length  gathered 
courage  from  their  wine.  They  roared  out  their 
hymn,  and  the  dancing  girls  caught  up  red  torches, 
—  brandishing,  shrieking,  dancing,  one  lurid  whirl 
of  uncaged  demons.  The  officers  put  forth  their 
hands  time  and  again  for  the  beakers  which  the 
eunuchs  could  not  fill  too  fast.  In  the  reaction  after 
the  portent,  the  scene  became  an  orgy.  The  king's 
cheek  was  flushed,  his  voice  was  loud  and  high. 
Tavat,  the  queen-mother,  quitted  the  feast;  and 
Atossa  would  have  given  all  she  possessed  —  how 
little !  —  to  be  suffered  to  follow.  She  had  hardly 
tasted  the  cups  pressed  on  her.  She  was  utterly 
weary.  The  gold  and  jewels  on  her  head  seemed  an 
intolerable  weight.  Oh,  to  be  away,  —  to  have  that 
scene  blotted  out,  even  by  death's  long  slumber! 
Her  head  fell  forward.  Ahura  was  kind.  Did 
she  sleep  ?  Suddenly  Belshazzar's  voice  aroused 
her. 


THE   FULFILMENT   OF   JEHOVAH        409 

"  Midnight,  the  feast  ends ;  and  you,  O  Jew,  have 
lost!" 

The  king  was  standing.     The  lamps  were  smoking 
low  ;  the  noise  of   the  feasters   failing,  as  the  wine 
accomplished    its    work.       The    tipsy    priests    had 
quavered  out  their  last  triumph  song:  — 
"  Bel-Marduk,  who  rulest  forever, 
Thee,  thee  we  praise  !  " 

Belshazzar  addressed  Mermaza.  "Eunuch,  de 
liver  Daniel  the  Jew  to  Khatin  for  instant  death. 
His  mummery  turns  to  his  own  ruin.  Now  truly  let 
his  weak  god  save  !  " 

Even  as  he  spoke  there  was  a  strange  clamour  ris 
ing  in  the  palace  without :  a  headlong  gallop,  a  shout 
ing,  not  of  mirth  but  of  alarm.  None  yet  heeded. 

"Your  Majesty,"  Daniel  was  answering  steadily, 
"  suffer  me  only  this :  let  me  embrace  my  daughter 
Ruth." 

The  king  nodded.  "Be  brief,  for  you  have  vexed 
me  long !  "  Then,  turning  to  Atossa :  "  Ah  !  lady, 
Queen,  —  at  last !  to  the  harem !  you  are  my  wife  !  " 

Atossa  knew  she  was  being  taken  by  the  hand; 
she  saw  all  things  dimly  as  through  darkened  glass. 
Nearer  the  gallop  without,  louder  the  shouting,  and 
through  it  and  behind  a  jar  and  a  crashing, — not  of 
the  elements  surely !  Daniel  had  clasped  Ruth  to 
his  breast.  His  words  were  heard  only  by  her 
and  by  Another.  The  king  gestured  impatiently. 
"  Enough  !  Away !  —  "  But  no  more  ;  there  was  a 
panic  cry  at  the  portal,  the  howl  of  fifty  voices  in 


410  BELSHAZZAR 

dismay ;  and  right  into  the  great  hall,  over  the  price 
less  carpets,  through  that  revelling  throng,  spurred 
a  rider  in  armour,  two  arrows  sticking  in  target,  blood 
on  crest,  blood  streaming  from  the  great  wound  in 
the  horse's  side.  Up  to  the  very  dais  he  thundered; 
and  there,  in  sight  of  all,  the  beast  staggered,  fell, 
while  Igas-Ramman,  the  captain,  struggled  from  be 
neath  and  stood  before  the  king. 

"  All  is  lost,  lord  of  the  Chaldees  ! "  and  then  he 
gasped  for  breath.  But  already  in  the  outer  palace 
was  a  fearful  shout.  "  Arms !  Rescue !  The  foe ! " 

Belshazzar  tottered  as  he  stood,  caught  the  arm  of 
the  throne.  His  face  was  not  ashen,  but  black  as  the 
clouds  on  high.  "  What  is  this,  fool  ? "  he  called. 
And  Igas  answered,  "  O  king,  Sirusur  and  Bilsandan 
are  traitors.  The  retreat  of  Cyrus  was  a  ruse.  By 
night  his  host  has  returned.  Irnbi-Ilu,  the  exile, 
has  tampered  with  the  priests  of  Nabu,  and  they 
have  opened  the  Borsippa  water-gate.  Sirusur  has 
withdrawn  the  garrisons  from  the  chief  defences ; 
Bilsandan  has  released  the  Persian  prisoners  and 
with  them  overpowered  the  guard  at  the  Northern 
Citadel.  Prince  Darius  is  speeding  to  the  palace." 

"And  you,  where  did  you  fight?*'  demanded  the 
king. 

"  We  made  shift  to  defend  an  inner  gate.  Treach 
ery  is  all  about.  We  were  attacked  in  the  rear.  I 
fled  with  the  tidings.  The  Persians  carry  all  before 
them,  — hear !  "  and  hear  they  did ;  "  the  foe  will  come 
and  none  to  stay  !  " 


THE   FULFILMENT   OF   JEHOVAH        411 

"  None  shall  stay  ?  Twenty  thousand  men  of  war 
in  Babylon,  and  Belshazzar  be  snared  as  a  bird  in  his 
own  palace?"  The  king  drew  his  sword,  flinging 
far  the  scabbard. 

"  Up,  princes  of  the  Chaldees,  up !  "  he  trumpeted, 
above  the  shriekings  all  around.  "  All  is  not  lost ! 
We  will  still  prove  the  Jew  the  liar !  Whosoever 
dares,  follow  me  !  All  Babylon  is  not  turned  traitor. 
We  will  make  our  streets  the  Persian's  grave !  " 

Yet  while  he  cried  it  a  second  messenger  panted 
into  the  great  hall. 

"  The  outer  defences  of  the  palace  are  forced,  O 
king !  The  foe  are  everywhere  ! " 

But  Belshazzar  leaped  down  from  the  dais,  and 
sped  about  one  lightning  glance. 

"  Here,  Khatin,  stand  by  these  women  and  this 
Jew !  See  that  they  do  not  flee.  I  will  yet  live  to 
teach  them  fear." 

A  crash  without  made  the  casements  shiver.  Bel 
shazzar  sprang  forward.  "  At  them,  men  of  Babylon ; 
all  is  not  yet  lost !  " 

And,  spurred  by  his  example,  the  feasters  rushed 
after.  The  cups  lay  on  the  tables,  the  lamps  flick 
ered  overhead,  the  storm  wind  was  shaking  the 
broad  canopy,  but  Atossa  knew  only  one  thing — - 
the  raging  din  that  ever  swelled  louder.  Then  a 
second  crash,  mightier  than  the  first ;  and  out  of  it 
a  shout  in  her  own  tongue  of  Iran. 

"  For  Ahura,  for  Atossa !  " 

The  battle-cry  of  the  Persians  —  and  Atossa  knew 
that  Darius,  son  of  Hystaspes,  was  not  far  away. 


CHAPTER  XXVII 

OH,  the  terror,  the  blind  terror,  which  possessed 
the  guilty,  lustful  city  that  night !  the  stupid 
guards  staggering  from  their  wine-pots ;  the  priests, 
crazed  with  the  lees,  shrieking  to  Istar,  to  Bel,  to 
Ramman,  their  strengthless  hands  catching  at  use 
less  weapons.  What  drunken  courage  might  do 
then  was  done.  But  of  what  avail  ?  For  treachery 
was  everywhere.  The  citadel  was  betrayed ;  Imgur- 
Bel  and  Nimitti-Bel  betrayed.  The  giant-built  walls 
frowned  down,  but  the  massy  gates  were  wide  open, 
—  and  through  them  streamed  the  foe.  Right  down 
the  length  of  broad  Nana  Street,  under  the  shadow 
of  the  ziggurats  and  the  great  warehouses,  had  charged 
the  Persian  cuirassiers,  the  finest  cavalry  in  all  the 
East.  Through  the  Gate  of  Istar  poured  Harpagus 
and  the  Median  chivalry ;  through  the  Gate  of  the 
Chaldees  swept  Hystaspes  with  the  "  Immortals," 
Cyrus's  own  life-guard,  the  stoutest  spearmen  in 
wide  Iran.  They  met  files  of  tipsy  sword-hands, 
men  who  fought  without  order,  without  commanders. 
The  howls  of  the  slaves  and  women  were  on  every 
hand.  The  light  of  burning  houses  brightened  the 

412 


"BEL   IS   DEAD"  413 

invaders'  pathway;  and  so  the  Aryan  host  fought 
onward,  brushing  resistance  from  its  way  as  the 
torrent  sweeps  on  the  pebhles,  all  ranks  strain 
ing  toward  one  point,  the  palace ;  for  the  hour  of 
reckoning  had  come  to  the  "  City  of  the  Lie." 

Atossa  sat  upon  the  dais,  looking  upon  the  scene 
below.  The  great  hall  was  still  around  her,  —  still 
the  pictured  walls,  with  the  shadows  darkening  upon 
their  enamels,  as  the  lamps  and  torches  burned  lower. 
The  tables  were  there,  and  the  remnants  of  the  feast ; 
the  floor  was  strewn  with  torn  garlands  and  trampled 
roses, — but  the  company,  the  wanton  dancing  women, 
the  sleek  eunuchs,  the  lordly  priests,  the  yet  more 
lordly  captains,  where  were  they?  Fled,  —  all  save 
the  last,  —  to  the  innermost  palace,  there  to  moan, 
while  the  noise  of  the  avenger  was  nearing. 

Atossa  arose,  shook  herself,  stared  once  more  about 
the  hall.  At  the  foot  of  the  dais  lay  the  dead 
charger.  On  a  seat  at  her  side  sat  Ruth,  her  head 
bowed  on  her  hands,  her  lithe  form  quivering  with 
fear.  Beside  his  daughter  was  the  old  Hebrew,  calm, 
steadfast,  seemingly  passionless,  looking  straight 
before,  as  if  his  sight  could  pass  through  wall  and 
battlement,  beholding  the  far-off  peace  of  the  upper 
heavens.  But  in  the  outer  palace  what  was  not 
befalling?  Never  before  had  Atossa  heard  the 
clangour  of  men  at  war ;  but  she  was  a  great  king's 
daughter.  Should  the  child  of  Cyrus  fear  when  her 
own  people  knocked  at  the  gate  thus  loudly  ?  The 


414  BELSHAZZAR 

awful  roar  grew  louder  each  instant.  Louder  the 
Aryan  war-cry,  "  For  Ahura,  for  Atossa !  "  And 
still  the  despairing  shout  was  answering,  "Save,  O 
Marduk,  save  !  "  For  the  Babylonish  lion,  though  at 
his  death,  must  die  as  a  lion. 

As  the  din  surged  in  and  out  like  some  raging 
sea,  the  princess  heard  her  own  name  alone  shouted. 
Dared  she  believe  she  knew  the  voice  ? 

"  Atossa  ?    Atossa  ?  " 

Then  a  new  crash  that  drowned  all  else,  and  the 
whirl  of  a  thousand  feet.  Men  and  women,  cursing, 
howling,  were  rushing  back  into  the  hall.  In  an 
instant  the  empty  scene  became  a  chaos  of  forms,  all 
the  gibbering  palace  folk  fleeing  thither. 

"Lost!  The  gate  is  carried!  The  palace  is 
taken ! " 

So  cried  those  not  frenzied  past  all  speech.  But 
Atossa  heard  with  an  awful  gladness.  This  was  the 
hour  of  her  triumph ;  the  destroyers  were  the  servants 
of  her  father,  their  leader  the  man  she  loved.  Let, 
then,  the  Babylonian  hounds  whine  and  cringe  at 
doom.  What  cared  she  ? 

But  the  end  had  not  yet  come.  Another  voice  was 
thundering  in  the  Chaldee,  Belshazzar's  voice :  — 

"  Rally  again !  All  is  not  yet  lost.  We  will 
defend  the  palace  room  by  room ! " 

"  Forward,  sons  of  Iran ! "  sped  back  the  answer ; 
and  a  shout  followed  it  at  the  very  entrance  of  the 
hall. 

"  For  Ahura,  for  Atossa ! " 


"BEL  IS  DEAD"  415 

"  Darius ! "  cried  Atossa,  "  Darius !     Here  am  I !  " 

Her  scream  was  drowned  in  the  chaos  of  battle. 
And  then  for  the  first  time  fear  smote  the  princess. 
Outside  those  doors  fought  the  son  of  Hystaspes, 
perilling  himself  in  the  press,  —  and  for  her  sake. 
She  could  contain  herself  no  more. 

"  Darius,"  she  shrieked  again,  "  I  come !     Save !  " 

She  leaped  from  the  dais;  in  her  madness  she 
would  have  plunged  into  the  riot  below,  when  a 
heavy  hand  fell  on  her ;  she  struggled,  was  helpless. 
Above  her  towered  Khatin. 

"It  is  commanded,  lady,"  quoth  the  headsman, 
gruffly,  "that  you  abide  here,  till  the  king  order 
otherwise." 

"  Fool ! "  she  cried,  shrinking  at  his  impure  touch, 
"  do  you  seek  death  ?  A  moment  more  and  your  life 
is  in  my  power.  Release,  and  you  shall  live." 

"  Ah,  my  bright-eyed  rabbit,"  answered  he,  dryly, 
unmoved  by  all  the  terrors  about,  "  I  have  sent  too 
many  better  men  than  I  to  the  '  world-mountain '  to 
dread  myself  the  journey  thither.  All  the  Chaldees 
have  not  turned  traitor,  nor  have  I.  Wait." 

He  forced  her  back  upon  her  seat,  and  stood  guard 
beside  her.  Drunk  or  sober,  the  nobles  of  Babylon 
proved  their  lordly  birth  that  night.  Twice  Atossa's 
heart  sank  when  a  triumphant  cry  rang  through  the 
palace : — 

"  Glory  to  Marduk !    Drive  them  forth !    Victory !  " 

But  each  time  the  Persians  swept  back  to  the 
charge;  and  still  the  clamour  rose.  Well  that  all 


416  BELSHAZZAR 

the  death  was  hid  from  Atossa,  or,  king's  daughter 
though  she  was,  her  woman's  heart  would  have 
broken.  How  long  might  this  last  ?  The  swarm  of 
frenzied  palace  folk  was  growing  denser.  They 
sprang  upon  the  dais,  threatening  Atossa,  in  their 
witless  fear,  but  gave  back  at  sight  of  Khatin's  bared 
sword-blade.  Then  forth  rushed  a  single  man,  Avil- 
Marduk,  his  face  blanched,  his  teeth  a-chatter,  and 
cast  himself  at  Daniel's  feet. 

"  Save,  generous  lord !  Save  me  from  death ! 
For  you  are  merciful,  and  the  Persians  will  hear 
you !  Beseech  your  Jehovah  that  He  may  not  let 
me  die ! " 

Before  the  Jew  could  answer  Khatin  dragged  the 
suppliant  from  his  knees.  "  Peace,  babbler ;  if  Mar- 
duk  is  a  great  god,  let  him  save;  if  not,  die  like  a 
man.  But  take  not  even  life  from  one  you  have  re 
viled,  like  the  God  of  Daniel !  " 

"  But  I  am  sinful,  unfit  to  stand  before  Ea  and  his 
awful  throne.  I  shall  die  in  my  iniquity !  " 

"  I  only  know  you  are  no  fitter  to  live  than  to  die," 
answered  the  implacable  headsman ;  and  he  cast  the 
priest  headlong  from  the  dais.  Ruth  had  lifted  her 
head,  and  stared  about  vacantly,  till  her  gaze  lit  on 
the  Persian.  Then  she  flung  herself  into  the  arms  of 
Atossa. 

"  Ah !  lady,"  she  cried,  the  hot  tears  falling  fast, 
"  I  see  all  as  in  a  frightful  dream !  When  will  this 
tumult  end  ?  I  can  bear  no  more  !  " 

But  Atossa  answered  in  her  queenly  pride  :  — 


"BEL   IS   DEAD"  417 

"Peace,  Jewess,  be  strong.  For  this  is  the  hour 
for  which  we  cried  to  Ahura  together.  He  is  tram 
pling  down  the  'People  of  the  Lie,'  and  this  sound 
arises  from  the  men  we  love." 

But  as  she  spoke  the  mob  below  swayed  with  new 
terror.  For  a  third  time  the  great  palace  quaked. 
The  door  was  again  darkened  by  many  men  —  and  in 
their  midst  they  saw  the  king.  .  .  . 

Belshazzar  was  covered  with  blood,  whether  his 
own  or  the  foeman's,  who  might  say?  His  mantle 
was  in  tatters,  the  tiara  smitten  from  his  head,  on 
his  arm  a  shivered  shield.  The  king  staggered,  then 
the  sight  of  Atossa  upon  the  dais  seemed  to  dart  new 
power  through  his  veins.  He  steadied,  swept  his 
weapon  around  in  command  to  the  officers  who 
pressed  by. 

"Rally  again!"  cried  the  king;  "we  have  still 
thousands  around  the  walls  and  throughout  the  city. 
Prolong  the  defence  till  dawn,  and  we  may  yet  con 
quer  !  "  His  majesty  and  presence  stayed  the  panic- 
stricken  captains,  who  had  been  streaming  past  him 
into  the  wide  hall. 

The  king  surveyed  the  room  one  instant. 

"We  can  defend  this  hall  until  the  garrison  may 
rally.  There  is  still  hope;  drive  forth  this  rabble, 
and  barricade  the  doors !  " 

The  guardsmen  swept  the  eunuchs  and  women 
from  the  hall.  They  fled,  the  thunders  of  the  gale, 
now  at  its  height,  drowning  their  moanings.  Ever 
and  anon  the  dying  torches  cast  shadow  while  the 


418  BELSHAZZAK, 

lightnings  glared.  Then  came  the  crash  of  the  hail 
and  rain,  beating  down  the  canopy,  quenching  half 
the  lights,  and  adding  gloom  to  terror.  All  this  in 
less  time  than  the  telling.  Belshazzar  himself  aided 
in  piling  the  tables  and  couches  in  heaps  against  all 
the  doors  save  one,  through  which  the  Chaldees  were 
sullenly  retreating,  marking  their  pathway  by  the 
Persian  dead.  Once  again  Atossa  leaped  from  her 
seat ;  despite  her  brave  words  to  Ruth,  more  of  this 
chaos  would  strike  her  mad.  She  slipped  from  the 
grasp  of  Khatin,  and  flew  toward  the  entrance.  For 
the  instant  all  were  too  intent  on  their  fearful  tasks 
to  heed. 

"  Darius !  I  come  ! "  cried  she,  in  her  Persian, 
and  a  shout  without  was  answering,  when  a  clutch, 
mighty  as  Khatin's,  halted  her.  She  was  in  Belshaz- 
zar's  own  hands. 

"  Back,  girl !    I  am  still  the  king,  and  I  command ! " 

But  Atossa  struggled  desperately.  "  Away !  Take 
me  away !  "  rang  her  plea.  "  Slay  this  instant  if  you 
will,  but  I  can  bear  no  more  !  " 

"  Take  her  to  the  dais,"  shouted  the  king  to  two 
guardsmen  ;  "  watch  her  preciously ;  her  life  is  dearer 
to  us  now  than  gold." 

The  two  had  need  of  their  strength,  but  she  was 
thrust  again  to  her  hated  station.  This  time  cords 
were  knotted  around  her  arms,  and  she  was  held  fast. 
She  looked  to  Daniel.  There  he  sat,  serene  and 
silent,  the  only  calm  object  in  that  scene  of  furies. 

"Father,"  she  moaned,  "pray  to  Khatin,  to  any, 


"BEL  IS   DEAD"  419 

that  they  strike  once,  and  let  me  die  !  All  the  dcevas 
are  loose  and  drive  me  mad !  " 

"  Peace,  my  child,"  he  spoke  mildly,  yet  amid  all 
that  storm  she  heard  him  ;  "  we  shall  full  soon  know 
what  is  the  will  of  God ! " 

But  she  had  started  despite  the  bands.  The  last 
Babylonians  had  been  brushed  from  the  portal,  a  rush 
of  feet,  a  battle-cry  the  loudest  of  the  night;  and 
right  in  the  entrance,  sword  in  hand  and  looking 
upon  Atossa,  was  the  son  of  Hystaspes,  at  his  side 
Isaiah,  at  his  back  the  stoutest  veterans  of  Cyrus  the 
conqueror. 

There  was  silence  for  an  instant,  while  the  foes 
glared  on  one  another.  Then  the  Babylonish  officers 
by  sheer  force  drew  their  king  behind  them,  and 
formed  in  close  array  before  the  dais.  The  last 
stand ! 

"  Stand  fast,  Chaldees !  "  rang  the  voice  of  Igas- 
Ramman ;  "  let  them  touch  the  king  only  across  our 
bodies.  While  he  lives  Babylon  is  not  truly  lost." 

The  Persians  were  entering  slowly,  grimly.  Their 
prey  was  in  their  clutch ;  they  were  too  old  in  war  to 
let  him  slip  by  untimely  triumph.  The  rain  beat 
down  in  one  continuous  roar,  amid  ceaseless  peals  of 
thunder.  Yet  despite  the  elements  they  heard  the 
clamour  of  distant  conflict ;  at  the  temple  of  Bel,  at  the 
palace  of  Nabupolassar,  the  fight  was  still  desperate. 

"  While  your  Majesty  lives,"  muttered  Igas  in  the 
royal  ear,  "  there  may  be  yet  rally  and  rescue.  Let 
us  fight  to  the  end." 


420  BELSHAZZAR 

Darius  had  advanced  from  his  company,  halfway 
across  the  hall,  as  if  he  alone  would  walk  upon 
the  swords  of  the  Chaldees.  He  addressed  the 
king. 

"Live  forever,  Lord  of  Babylon!  Live  forever. 
I  have  bayed  a  fairer  game,  this  night,  than  an  aurochs 
or  a  lion ;  but  I  have  brought  him  to  the  net  at  last. 
Too  noble,  truly,  to  slay.  Let  him  be  wise ;  he  will 
find  my  master  merciful." 

"  Yield  to  Cyrus  ?  Let  the  dogs  eat  first  our 
bodies ! "  so  cried  Igas,  and  all  the  Babylonians  yelled 
like  answer. 

Darius  did  not  retire.  "  We  Persians  honour  kings, 
though  once  our  foes.  Croesus  the  Lydian  is  Cyrus's 
friend.  Be  wise,  —  Bel  your  god  may  not  save  you. 
Craft  and  strength  alike  have  failed.  Yield  on  fair 
quarter.  Do  not  sacrifice  these  gallant  men  — " 

But  he  ended  swiftly,  for  the  king  had  leaped 
upon  the  dais,  and  his  voice  sounded  amid  the 
thunder.  "  Look !  with  all  your  eyes  look,  Persians ! 
Behold  the  daughter  of  Cyrus."  Atossa  had  been 
upborne  upon  his  strong  arms  and  those  of  Khatin, 
and  stood  upon  the  royal  couch  before  the  gaze  of  all. 
And  at  sight  of  her  a  tremor  thrilled  through  the 
Persians. 

"  The  princess  in  Belshazzar's  clutch !  Woe ! 
Ahura  deliver ! "  groaned  many  a  grizzled  sword- 
hand,  who  had  slain  his  man  that  night;  but  the  king 
swept  on :  "I  say  to  you,  that  as  the  first  arrow 
flies,  or  sword-stroke  falls,  the  blade  enters  the  breast 


"BEL   IS   DEAD"  421 

of  the  child  of  Cyrus.  Get  you  gone,  and  that 
instantly,  if  you  would  not  see  her  die  !  " 

They  saw  the  steel  glancing  in  Khatin's  hand,  no 
idle  threat.  And  for  a  moment  longer,  Persian  and 
Chaldee  looked  on  one  another,  while  the  storm 
screamed  its  wild  music.  But  now  Atossa  spoke,  her 
voice  clear  as  Belshazzar's :  — 

"  And  I,  daughter  of  your  king,  command  that  you 
hold  back  in  nothing  for  my  sake.  For  to  an  Aryan 
maid  of  pure  heart  death  is  no  great  thing,  when 
she  knows  behind  it  speeds  the  vengeance." 

"  Not  so  !  We  may  not !  "  moaned  Persian  to  Per 
sian  ;  and  Darius  sprang  back  among  his  men. 

"  Lord,"  cried  a  captain  from  the  rear,  "  the  gar 
rison  is  rallying.  A  little  longer,  and  many  com 
panies  come  to  Belshazzar's  aid.  We  may  yet  be 
undone ! " 

Darius  had  flung  away  his  target ;  his  hands  had 
snatched  something  —  a  quiver,  a  bow.  He  leaped 
before  them  all,  while  Belshazzar's  voice  again  was 
rising :  — 

"  Back,  Persians ;  or  as  Bel  is  god  of  Babylon,  the 
maid  dies,  and  you  are  her  murderers  !  "  He  sprang 
down  from  beside  her,  leaving  Khatin  standing. 

But  the  prince  drew  the  shaft  to  the  head,  and  sent 
his  eye  along  the  arrow.  Did  he  level  at  Atossa's 
own  breast  ?  So  thought  she,  with  all  the  others,  and 
her  cry  rang  shrilly :  — 

"  Shoot !  In  Ahura's  great  name,  shoot !  Death  at 
your  hands  is  sweet !  " 


422  BELSHAZZAR, 

They  saw  her  close  her  eyes,  and  strong  men 
turned  away  their  faces.  One  deed  to  slay  a  peer, 
in  heat  of  battle  ;  another,  to  see  a  lover  strike  down 
his  bride !  But  Belshazzar,  looking  on  his  foe,  was 
startled,  —  lie  had  seen  him  shoot  before. 

"  Strike !  "  he  commanded  Khatin,  "  swiftly  I " 

They  saw  the  long  blade  move,  and  heard  the  whiz 
of  the  arrow.  Right  through  the  headsman's  wrist 
sped  the  shaft,  just  as  the  stroke  fell.  The  sword 
turned  in  impotent  fingers,  and  fell  upon  the  floor. 
And  still  Atossa  stood. 

She  trembled,  moved,  made  to  spring  from  her 
station :  but  Darius's  voice  in  turn  was  thunder :  — 

"  Move  not !  There  alone  is  safety,  where  I  cover 
you !  And  now  —  on  them,  men  of  Iran !  " 

There,  lifted  up  above  them  all,  remained  Atossa, 
the  arrow  of  the  "  King  of  the  Bow  "  upon  her,  and 
no  Chaldee  so  lustful  after  death  as  to  leap  beside 
her,  and  to  strike. 

The  Persians  had  sprung  upon  their  prey  and  never 
relaxed  their  death  grip ;  but  the  Babylonians  ringed 
round  their  king  with  a  living  wall,  and  fought  in 
silence,  for  all  was  near  the  end.  Then  the  rush  of 
numbers  forced  the  defenders  away  from  the  dais. 
Atossa  saw  the  arrow  of  Darius  sink,  saw  him  bound 
ing  forward,  but  saw  no  more;  for  in  mercy  sense 
forsook  her,  —  she  felt  two  strong  arms,  and  then 
for  long  lay  motionless  as  the  dead. 

The  prince  laid  her  upon  the  royal  couch  at  the 
extremity  of  the  dais ;  beside  her  he  set  Ruth,  who 


"BEL  IS  DEAD"  423 

had  long  since  ceased  crying,  through  very  weight 
of  fear.  Back  to  the  combat  then,  and  the  last 
agony  of  the  king,  when  from  under  the  shivered 
tables  crawled  one  who  groaned,  and  kissed  his  feet 
—  Avil-Marduk.  Darius  spurned  him;  the  next 
instant  two  tall  Medians  were  hauling  the  wretch 
away  —  a  noble  spectacle  he  would  be  for  triumph 
ing  Ecbatana,  before  they  crucified.  But  a  nobler 
spoil  remained.  Darius  flung  himself  upon  the 
Chaldee  nobles.  Igas-Ramman  was  down,  and 
Khatin,  whose  left  arm  had  smitten  many  a  foe 
while  his  right  hung  helpless.  The  king  still  fought, 
ten  swords  seeking  his  life,  and  he  parrying  all, — 
none  of  his  conqueror  race  more  royal  than  he  in  this 
his  hour  of  doom.  Suddenly  the  desperate  defenders 
turned  at  bay,  and  charged  their  foes  with  a  mad 
fury  that  made  even  the  stoutest  Aryans  give 
ground.  One  final  lull,  in  which  they  heard  the 
beating  of  the  rain.  Then  right  betwixt  raging 
Persian  and  raging  Chaldee  sprang  a  figure,  —  an 
old  man  in  hoary  majesty,  Daniel  the  Jew. 

"  Peace ! "  and  for  that  instant  every  man  heark 
ened.  "Your  god  is  helpless,  O  Belshazzar,  your 
idol  mute.  Your  power  is  sped,  but  bow  to  the  will 
of  the  Most  High.  He  will  still  pity  the  penitent. 
Do  not  cast  your  life  away." 

But  at  the  word  the  king  lifted  his  last  javelin. 

"  Be  this  my  answer  to  your  god  ! " 

The  missile  brushed  the  white  lock  on  the  old 
man's  forehead,  and  fell  harmless. 


424  BELSHAZZAK 

The  Babylonians  retreated  sullenly  to  the  wall, 
set  their  backs  against  it.  Then,  with  death  in  the 
face  of  each,  with  the  shattered  plaster  frowning 
down  on  them,  those  men  who  had  fought  so  long 
and  well  to  save  their  king  and  city,  raised  their 
song,  —  the  paean  of  the  vanquished,  to  the  god 
whose  power  that  night  had  passed :  — 

"  Bel-Marduk,  sovereign  of  archers, 
Bel-Marduk,  spoiler  of  cities, 
Bel-Marduk,  lord  of  all  gods, 
Bel-Marduk,  who  rulest  forever, 
Thee,  thee  we  praise ! " 

At  the  last  note  the  Persians  closed  around  them, 
and  each  Chaldee  as  he  stood  fought  to  the  end,  sell 
ing  his  life  full  dear ;  but  about  the  king  the  strife 
raged  fiercest,  for  Darius  had  commanded,  "  Slay  not ! 
Take  living ! "  Long  after  the  last  of  his  servants 
had  sped  from  the  fury  of  man,  Belshazzar  beat  back 
all  who  pressed  him.  The  spirit  of  his  fallen  god 
seemed  to  possess  the  king;  he  fought  with  Bel's 
own  power.  But  the  sword  was  beaten  from  his 
grasp.  Twenty  hands  stretched  out  to  seize  him; 
he  buffeted  all  away,  leaped  to  one  side,  and,  be 
fore  any  could  hinder,  drew  the  dagger  from  his 
girdle  and  sheathed  it  in  his  own  breast.  He  stag 
gered.  Isaiah  upbore  him.  The  king  saw  in  whose 
arms  he  was,  then  his  eyes  went  up  to  the  shivered 
plaster.  The  Hebrew  felt  a  spasm  of  agony  pass 
through  Belshazzar's  frame. 

"  Bel  is  dead ! "  he  cried,  his  voice  never  louder. 


"BEL   IS   DEAD"  425 

"Bel  is  dead!  0  Grod  of  the  Jews,  Thou  hast 
conquered  !  " 

Then  came  a  dazzling  bolt.  The  wide  canopy  fell. 
The  rush  of  rain  drowned  every  torch,  and  all  was 
blackness. 

Darius  groped  his  way  beside  Belshazzar,  and 
spread  his  mantle  across  the  king's  face  to  shield  it 
from  the  rain. 

"  Cruel  and  '  Lover  of  the  Lie,' "  spoke  the  prince, 
"he  was  yet  a  brave  man  and  a  king;  therefore  let 
us  do  the  dead  all  honour !  " 

Soon  the  great  court  was  empty,  the  victors  gone, 
the  vanquished  cold  and  still.  But  till  dawn  the 
tempest  held  its  carnival  above  the  towers  of  the 
palace.  And  the  winds  had  one  cry,  the  beat  of 
the  rain  one  burden,  to  those  who  were  wise  to  hear, 
a  burden  heavy  with  long  years  of  wrong  :  — 

"  Babylon  the  Great  is  fallen,  is  fallen,  is  fallen ! 
The  Lady  of  Kingdoms  is  fallen,  is  fallen,  is  fallen ! 
She  will  oppress  the  weak  no  more,  will  slay  the 
innocent  no  more,  will  blaspheme  God  no  more ! 
Fallen  is  Babylon,  the  Chaldees'  crown  and  glory." 

In  a  greater  Book  than  this  is  written  how  Cyrus 
the  Persian  made  good  his  vow  to  Isaiah,  and  restored 
the  Hebrews  to  their  own  land,  raising  Jerusalem  out 
of  her  dust  and  ashes.  Elsewhere  also  is  told  how 
Darius  and  Atossa  fared  together  onward  until  the 
son  of  Hystaspes  sat  on  Cyrus's  own  throne  and 
gave  law  to  all  the  nations.  And  to  Isaiah  Jehovah 


426  *        BELSHAZZAR 

granted  that  he  should  become  a  mighty  prophet 
among  his  people,  and  see  rapt  visions  of  the 
"King-  who-  was-to-be."  But  as  for  Babylon  the 
Great,  the  traveller  who  wanders  through  the  desert 
beside  the  brimming  Euphrates  looks  upon  the 
mounds  of  sand  and  of  rubbish,  then  thinks  on  the 
word  of  the  Hebrew  poet  and  prophet  of  long  ago  :  — 

"  And  Babylon,  the  glory  of  the  kingdoms, 
Shall  be  as  when  God  overthrew  Sodom  and  Gomorrah. 
It  shall  never  be  inhabited, 
Neither  shall  the  Arabian  pitch  tent  there  ; 
Neither  shall  shepherds  make  their  fold  there  ; 
But  wild  beasts  of  the  desert  shall  lie  there, 
And  owls  shall  dwell  there, 
And  satyrs  shall  dance  there, 
And  wild  beasts  of  the  islands 
Shall  cry  in  their  desolate  houses  ; 
Her  days  shall  not  be  prolonged." 


NOTE  TO  THE  READER 

The  author  has  not  been  unmindful  that  certain  record 
tablets  give  a  narrative  of  the  capture  of  Babylon,  in  some 
points  differing  from  the  Bible  account  in  the  Book  of  Daniel. 
The  reasons  for  preferring  the  latter  to  the  profane  narrative 
are  too  many  to  be  discussed  here ;  but  it  is  not  improper  to 
point  out  that  the  "  Chronicle  Tablets  "  were  written  with  a 
political  end  to  serve,  —  to  soothe  the  feelings  of  the  conquered 
Babylonians,  by  representing  that  Babylon  surrendered  volun 
tarily  to  Cyrus.  This  is  hardly  likely ;  but  it  is  very  probable 
that  the  city  was  taken  by  treachery  among  the  priests  and  not 
by  assault. 

I  have  ventured  to  give  the  name  of  Isaiah  to  the  great 
"  Prophet  of  the  Captivity,"  whose  writings  are  found  in  the 
last  half  of  our  present  "  Book  of  Isaiah."  It  has  been  well 
conjectured  that  his  name  was  also  Isaiah,  which  resulted  in 
the  combining  of  the  two  independent  prophecies  into  one 
book. 

VALUE  OF  MONEY 
(according  to  Sayce) 

Shekel $0.75 

Maneh 45.00 

Talent  (silver) 2700.00 

Gold  was  worth  ten  times  as  much  as  silver,  weight  for  weight. 


427 


RETURN 


14  DAY  USE 

OTOOT 


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'57GB 


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cro  7  1   77 


0 1  1991 

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JL  0  1  RECD    9  1 

SENT  ON  ILL 

SEP  0  5  1997 

1 •  ' 

U.  C.  BERKELEY 


>!b\1 


ft^eoij 
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LD  21-100m-6,'56 
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